Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan outplayed Sri Lanka by 36 runs in the last game of a three-match Twenty20 International series to whitewash the visitors 3-0 before a full house at the picturesque Gaddafi Stadium here on Sunday evening. The final match was Sri Lanka’s first since their team bus was attacked near the same venue in March 2009 as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hoped it would help re-establish the country’s reputation for hosting international cricket. The first two matches, which Pakistan won by seven and two wickets respectively, were played in Abu Dhabi before Sri Lanka flew to Lahore in a 24-hour fly in, fly out arrangement. Not only have Sri Lanka lost all eight of their limited-overs matches in the series with this result, they have now lost 16 white-ball matches on the trot, dating back to the ODI defeats against Zimbabwe in July.

Chasing 181 to register first victory, the men from Pearl Island had the worst start possible as they lost first three wickets for just 21 runs in 3.4 overs. Young Dasun Shanaka tried to stabilise the ship with a quick-fire half-century, but it was not going to be enough as the visitors only managed to score 144 for the loss of nine wickets in their 20 overs. Though Shanaka’s 54 off 36 balls was valiant, but even while he was at the crease, Sri Lanka were too far behind the rate – none of the other batsmen having found their range. For Pakistan, pacer Mohammad Amir, playing before the home crowd his very first international game, was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed four, whereas all-rounder Faheem Ashraf picked two wickets.

Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field first. Pakistan were off to a smooth start, scoring 70 runs in the first 10 overs with the loss of just one wicket. Fakhar Zaman was bowled for 31. Later, Umar Amin was also sent packing on 45, leaving Pakistan 91 for 2 in 12 overs. Then Babar Azam (34 not out) and Shoaib Malik steadied the Pakistan innings, both managed to pull a 50-run partnership off 33 balls thus putting a big total of 180 runs on the board. It was Malik who changed the trajectory of the innings, setting them on course to an imposing score. Thanks largely to Malik’s acceleration, Pakistan reaped 72 off the last five overs of their innings. Malik, the only player from both the sides to have also featured in the fateful 2009 Lahore Test, smashed a 24-ball 51 with five boundaries and two sixes.

Plenty of Sri Lankan flags were on display at the Gaddafi Stadium, as Pakistan fans showing their gratitude to the touring team, but atmospheric conditions at the venue had a bearing on the match as well. Dew was in evidence from early in the evening, and Sri Lanka’s inexperienced attack found themselves hampered by it, particularly towards the end of the innings. The last over of the Pakistan innings – bowled by Vikum Sanjaya – was particularly damaging. In attempting to hit the blockhole, Sanjaya delivered a series of low full tosses, conceding three sixes, and leaking 23 runs.

Sri Lanka brought in all-rounder Chaturanga de Silva in place of Ashan Priyanjan. Pakistan made two changes from the side which won the second Twenty20 by two wickets in Abu Dhabi. They brought in paceman Amir and Amin in place of injured fast bowler Usman Shinwari and the out-of-form Ahmed Shehzad.

Festive scenes: Thousands of fans filled Gaddafi Stadium under intense security, as the countries’ respective national anthems were played before a capacity 23,000 crowd. The city was adorned with pictures of the Sri Lankan cricketers as fans converged on the stadium hours before the start of the match. Fans applauded both the teams before the start of the match and beat drums in an exhilarating atmosphere.

The match was the fourth international since the 2009 attack, with Zimbabwe playing a five-match limited over series in 2015 followed by the final of Pakistan Super League and a three-match Twenty20 series with World XI comprising of players from seven countries – both this year. PCB chairman Najam Sethi dubbed the match “historic”. “This is historic because it marks the beginning of a new era of international cricket in Pakistan,” said Sethi. “This sends a big signal to the rest of the cricketing nations that Pakistan is ready to host international cricket.” Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanag Sumathipala vowed his board would not leave Pakistan in isolation. “We are happy and privileged to be here to support Pakistan cricket,” said Sumathipala. “It’s a wonderful cricketing nation. Pakistan has done so much for world cricket and to sports in general so we cannot leave them in isolation.”

Published in Daily Times, October 30^th 2017.