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Colombo: Pakistan won the first-off two-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka convincingly by 29 runs at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday.
A powerful display by Pakistan with the bat helped them post a good target of 176 runs which they eventually defended successfully.
Pakistan fast-bowler, Sohail Tanvir bowled a brilliant spell as he claimed three wickets in order to ensure that Pakistan draw first blood by 29 runs
Sri Lanka started their chase on a real shaky note as they lost their three top-order batsmen in the opening four overs in the form of Kusal Perera, Tillkaratne Dilshan and Kithuruwan Vithange for four, six and one, respectively.
Although all-rounder Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva managed to recover the innings with a crucial 34-run stand, before Mathews fell for 23 in the 10th over off Imad Wasim.
Dhananjaya put-up another healthy 37-run stand along with incoming batsman, Milinda Siriwardana, before he was dismissed for 31 by Shoaib Malik. It was followed by another 24-run stand between Siriwardana and Chamara Kapugedara, before Siriwardana was dismissed for 35 by Tanvir again.
Just five runs later, it was Thisara Perera, who was dismissed for a mere couple off Anwar Ali. Kapugedara and Binura Fernando continued to bat until the end of the game, but the targhet seemed to be too high and the loss of early wickets had restricted their flow of runs, as Pakistan ensured a comfortable 39-run win.
Tanvir was also adjudged the Man of the Match for his stellar performance with the ball.
Earlier, Shahid Afridi won the toss and decided to bat first. Pakistan lost their first wicket as Mukhtar Ahmed got out in the second over itself of Angelo Mathews ball. But soon, Ahmed Shehzad (46) and Mohammad Hafeez (17) started building the innings. They shared a 42-run stand between them.
Thisara Perera picked both the batsmen in the span of four overs and then came Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal. Malik played a not out innings of 46 runs off 31 balls. Akmal wasn't behind as he scored 46 too but off just 24 deliveries which included 3 sixes and 3 fours.
Afridi came and went after smashing 1 six as Pakistan posted 175 runs on the board. Perera was the pick of the bowler as he picked 2 wickets by giving away just 30 runs in 4 overs. Mathews, Lasith Malinga and debutant Binura Fernando picked 1 wicket each.
Sri Lankan innings started off weak as they lost both openers in first two overs. Anwar Ali and Sohail Tanvir bowled some brilliant line to get openers out. The home team kept losing wickets in intervals.
Brief scores
Pakistan - 175/5 (Malik 46*, Akmal 46, Shehzad 46)
Sri Lanka - 146/7 (Siriwardana 35, Kapugedera 31*, Tanvir 3-29)
Result - Pakistan won by 29 runs
MOM - Sohail Tanvir (Pakistan)
