Pakistan’s batting finally came good as they successfully chased down a competitive total against Sri Lanka to win by six wickets in an inconsequential final round robin league encounter of the Asia Cup Twenty20 here on Friday.
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He remained not out on 75, his career-best score, from 56 balls with ten boundaries and a six while Dilshan, who had been out of form, batted well for the first time in the tournament, hitting 58 off 49 balls with seven fours and a six.
Pakistan conceded just two more boundaries in the next four overs but failed to take wickets as Sri Lanka moved on to 66 for naught at the halfway mark.
Pakistan responded to fierce criticism from PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan by claiming a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their Asia Cup dead rubber.
Batting first, Sri Lanka put up a good score of 150/4, built by Tillakaratne Dilshan’s unbeaten 75 and fellow opener Dinesh Chandimal’s 58.
Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi will play today. Little did the Pakistanis know that Chandimal and Tillakaratne Dilshan had indeed found their feet.
Mohammad Irfan (2-18) was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan. Wahab Riaz and Shoaib Malik took one wicket a piece.
Shoaib Malik struck in the next over to remove Shehan Jayasuriya for four, before Mohammad Irfan bowled Chamara Kapugedera and Dasun Shanaka in the space of three balls to halt Sri Lanka’s progress.
Next up, Dilshan picked the wicket of Sharjeel and Sarfraz was dismissed by Milinda Siriwardana to reduce Pakistan to 94/3 in 13th over.
Second down Umar Akmal scored 48 runs off 37 balls hitting four boundaries and two over boundaries while first down Sarfraz Khan supported him with a priceless knock of 38 runs off 27 balls laced with six boundaries, after the departure of openers Sharjeel Khan (31) and Mohammad HAfeez (14).
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But the first ball of the 15th over saw pacer Wahab Riaz producing the first breakthrough to dismiss set batsman Chandimal.
