DAMBULLA: Dasun Shanaka’s late blitz and Wanindu Hasaranga’s four-wicket haul helped Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the rain-affected third T20I here at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Set a daunting 161, Pakistan ended up on 146/8 in a match reduced to 12 overs due to rain.
With this, the Islanders levelled the three-match T20I series 1-1, with one game washed out.
Pakistan were dealt with an early blow in the form of opener Sahibzada Farhan, who was cleaned up for nine in the second over.
With Green Shirts, 9-1, skipper Salman Ali Agha arrived and provided the innings the impetus with quick fire 45 from just 12 balls.
The right-hander hit three sixes and five fours in a partnership of 51 runs alongside Saim Ayub.
At this stage, Pakistan’s scorecard read 60 in 3.4 overs.
But things quickly turned in the home side’s favor after Salman’s dismissal, who was caught on fine leg.
Saim (6) and Usman Khan (1) followed him after leaving Pakistan 67-5 in 4.5 overs.
With the side in deep trouble, debutant Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Nawaz provided hope with 49 run partnership.
The pair managed to control the required run rate, but Wanindu Hasaranga’s spin wizardry shut the door on Pakistan.
He removed Nafay and Shadab in quick time to turn the game on its head. The target proved too much with 20 required in the last over. Eshan Malinga bowled a tight over, giving only five and picking up one wicket to seal a much-needed win for Sri Lanka.
Wanindu Hasaranga delivered a match winnig spell of four overs, scalping four wickets in his three overs.
Earlier, Kusal Mendis’ 30 off 16 and Dasun Shanaka’s 34 from just nine balls took Sri Lanka to an imposing 160-6.
Pathum Nissanka was caught in the first over for a duck, whereas Kamil Mishara raced to 20 off just eight balls before getting caught behind.
As a result, Sri Lanka were reduced to 22-2 in 1.5 overs.
However, Kusal Mendis put together a couple of partnerships that steadied the home side’s innings.
The right-hander first stitched a 32-run stand with Dhananjaya de Silva (21) and with Charith Aslanka (21 from 13 balls) off 46 runs to take the score to the 100-run mark.
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With Sri Lanka 100-4 in 8.5 overs, Mendis’ knock ended, which included two sixes and two fours.
On the very next ball, Asalanka was also sent back to put Pakistan back in the game.
However, it was Shanaka’s partnership of 52 off just 15 with Janith Liyanage that lifted them towards a commanding total.
The Islanders capitalized in the last three overs, accumulating 51 runs as Shanaka tonked five sixes in his brisk knock. Liyanage, meanwhile, also smashed three fours and a maximum in his 22 from eight balls.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Wasim, although he picked up three wickets, but he remained on the expensive side, giving away 54 in three overs.
Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf, and Mohammad Nawaz managed to pick one wicket apiece.