Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Kusal Mendis produced a commanding unbeaten half-century as Sri Lanka bounced back to beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the third T20I on Tuesday, preventing the hosts from completing a clean sweep of the series.
After managing scores of 1 and 9 in the first two matches, the Sri Lankan captain responded with an unbeaten 87 off just 48 deliveries. His knock powered the visitors to 172/2 in 17.1 overs, capping an improved all-round performance.
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Earlier, Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with 76 off 47 balls to help his side post 168/8. Mendis won his third consecutive toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that paid dividends as Sri Lanka restricted the hosts before chasing down the target comfortably.
Pakistan had won the opening match by four wickets before registering a dominant 82-run victory in the second T20I. The hosts amassed 215 in that contest, their second-highest total in the format, but Sri Lanka found a response in the series finale.
Both sides will now turn their attention to an ODI tri-series involving England, which begins in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
Having already secured the series, Pakistan rested several key players for the final T20I, including fast bowler Naseem Shah, spinner Abrar Ahmed and spin-bowling all-rounders Shadab Khan and Saim Ayub.
Sri Lanka made an aggressive start despite losing Lahiru Udara off the first delivery of Mohammad Imran’s spell. Sineth Jayawardena took the attack to Pakistan’s fast bowlers during the powerplay, scoring 38 and giving the visitors early momentum.
Udara had an opportunity to challenge the on-field lbw decision but opted against a review. Television replays subsequently indicated that Imran’s delivery had pitched outside the off stump.
Jayawardena’s innings ended when he holed out to long-on during an eventful over from left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas. The over also saw wicketkeeper Khawaja Nafay miss a stumping opportunity, while Minhas injured his little finger after dropping a difficult return catch.
With Jayawardena dismissed, Kusal Mendis took charge of the chase. He found an able partner in Kamindu Mendis, who remained unbeaten on 40 off 27 balls. The pair stitched together an unbeaten 98-run stand off just 55 deliveries to take Sri Lanka to the brink of victory.
Kusal Mendis dominated the partnership, striking nine fours and four sixes in a blistering display of power-hitting. Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to maintain their lengths, allowing the visitors to keep the required run rate under control throughout the chase.
Razaullah, featuring in only his second T20 match, proved expensive as he conceded 37 runs from just 19 deliveries. Salman Mirza also struggled to contain the scoring, finishing with figures of 0/40 from his three overs.
Earlier, former Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka delivered a crucial spell in the middle overs, claiming three wickets for 21 runs to prevent Pakistan from building a commanding total.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers made an early impact when Eshan Malinga dismissed Maaz Sadaqat for a three-ball duck. Fakhar Zaman, who had scored 12, had already fallen to the first delivery of the fast bowler’s spell after being caught at short third.
Spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth complemented Shanaka’s efforts with a disciplined spell of 1/23. The duo kept Pakistan under pressure through the middle overs as the hosts slipped to 102/6 in the 14th over, with Farhan receiving limited opportunities to get on strike.
Minhas provided some late resistance with an unbeaten 34, although he survived a run-out chance off the first delivery he faced. Mendis failed to collect the ball cleanly at the striker’s end, allowing the batter to remain at the crease.
Farhan then accelerated during the death overs, helping Pakistan collect 59 runs in the final five overs to take their total to 168/8.
Nuwan Thushara struck twice in the final two deliveries of the innings to halt Pakistan’s late charge. Farhan’s innings ended when he top-edged a delivery to Shanaka inside the circle, before Razaullah was bowled around his legs off the final ball.
Despite Farhan’s fighting half-century, Pakistan’s total proved insufficient as Kusal Mendis led Sri Lanka to a comprehensive victory, ensuring the visitors avoided a series whitewash.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
