Pakistan put in a team effort to bag the first T20I against Sri Lanka

If Pakistan were hoping to get a crash test to figure out their flaws ahead of the T20 World Cup, the first game of the T20I series against Sri Lanka would have sorely disappointed them. The visitors displayed a team effort to hand the hosts, who have plenty of introspection to do before the next game, a convincing six-wicket defeat.

Pakistan bowlers doing what they do best

Electing to field first in Dambulla, Pakistan bowlers did not look to be in the mood for bowling loose. That Janith Liyanage, who scored 40 runs off 31 balls, was the top scorer of the Sri Lanka batting lineup is quite telling of how lethal the visiting bowlers were. None of the other batters crossed even 20 runs as Pakistan bowled the hosts out for just 128 runs.

Salman Mirza drew first blood by dismissing Kamil Mishara in the first over and ended up with three wickets for 18 runs in four overs. Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed grabbed as many wickets, though he was a tad more expensive.

The spotlight, however, was on returning Shadab Khan. Shadab, who played his first international game since June last year, grabbed two wickets, both in his first over. Mohammad Wasim Jr. was the most economical of the lot. He managed two scalps in 12 balls at the bargain of just seven runs.

Low-scoring, one-sided game

The chase was equally bump-less. Sahibzada Farhan scored a 36-ball 51, and by the time he returned, Pakistan were within inches of victory. Even though the win was delayed for a while when Fakhar Zaman went back to the hut with 5 off 10 balls, paired with Usman Khan’s slow innings, a late-innings blitz by Shadab Khan eventually got Pakistan over the line with ease.

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