After being pummelled by India’s Abhishek Sharma on Sunday, Pakistan’s bowlers roared back against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi. Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-28), Haris Rauf (2-37) and Hussain Talat (2-18) combined to restrict Sri Lanka to a modest 133/8. Spinner Abrar Ahmed added control with a miserly 1-8 from four overs.
Kamindu Mendis (50 off 44) was Sri Lanka’s lone fighter, his half-century lifting them to a total that still looked below par.
The surface looked good but they bowled and fielded very well. It was not an ideal time to lose wickets. We just scored 133, but we did not give up, we fought really hard.
Sri Lanka Strike Back in Defence
Pakistan’s reply began briskly with Sahibzada Farhan (24) and Fakhar Zaman (17) adding 45 for the opening wicket. But Sri Lanka struck back through Maheesh Theekshana (2-24) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2-27). Hasaranga in particular threatened to turn the game, removing Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha in quick succession as Pakistan slumped to 80/5.
Hasaranga is always a superstar in white-ball cricket. He has done so many things for the country and is still doing it.
Talat and Nawaz Seal the Chase
Just as Sri Lanka scented an upset, Hussain Talat (32* off 30) and Mohammad Nawaz (38* off 24) dug in. Their unbroken 58-run partnership ensured Pakistan reached 138/5 with 12 balls to spare. Nawaz provided the fireworks with three sixes in the 18th over, while Talat anchored the stand.
It is difficult, it is hot, we all know. Conditions were not easy, so I took my time. My gut feeling was to wait for the boundaries to come. Hats off to Nawaz for the way he finished it.
On his all-round effort, he added: “We all know teams will go after me, so I had to back my plans. If I can bowl two good overs, that helps. And then I knew I needed to do something with the bat as well.”
Captain’s Take
Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha was pleased but cautious: “We lost four wickets in three overs. We need to stop doing that – it has been happening since Sharjah. But Shaheen has been outstanding. He is a match-winner. As for Talat, this is why we play so many all-rounders. He has been working hard for years, and I am very happy for him.”
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 133/8 in 20 overs (Kamindu Mendis 50; Shaheen Afridi 3-28, Talat 2-18, Rauf 2-37) Pakistan 138/5 in 18 overs (Mohammad Nawaz 38*, Hussain Talat 32*; Theekshana 2-24, Hasaranga 2-27) Result: Pakistan won by five wickets
