Tanvir helps Pakistan secure easy T20 win over Sri Lanka

Malinga is the strike bowler for Sri Lanka, but a few new bowlers like Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal have managed to give him good competition for a place in the side.

Pakistan will play the second match on Saturday at the same stadium and will try to take away the third trophy as well with it after clinched the Tests 2-1 and the ODI series 3-2.

Lasith Malinga has been an excellent servant for Sri Lanka for the last 11 years.

The main issue for the hosts was not the performances of the new faces but instead the production, or lack of it, from the senior players in the team.

The last T20 was won by Pakistan quite comfortably and this upcoming game will be Pakistan’s final fixture in the ongoing tour between the two sides.

If batting concerns aren’t troubling enough, Sri Lanka’s bowling has also left a lot to be desired.

Malinga, too, is aware that he didn’t help the team’s cause much in the first game. “I’ve proven my selection right”, he added.

“I stuck to the task by bowling in the right areas and took wickets when it was most needed”, he said at the award ceremony. We didn’t get off to a good start. “But at the moment I’m struggling with that”.

Premachandran said that while some countries have other interests in Sri Lanka, the sole focus of the TNA is to ensure the Tamils are given the political solution they need and not one which satisfies others.

Another factor affecting Sri Lanka is that they are taking a while to adapt to the absence of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

For Sri Lanka, who are reigning World T20 champions, the series provides a chance salvage some respite. One look at their on-field demeanour in the first T20I and it is clear that Shahid Afridi and Co. mean business.

Although Mukhtar Ahmed departed the scene early on, Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez, steadied the ship for Pakistan before Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal finished with a flourish towards the end. If Sri Lanka opt to go with the experience of Kulasekara, Fernando may have to miss out.

Dhananjaya de Silva and Milinda Siriwardana scored 31 and 35 respectively with the bat, while leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay was the pick of the home bowlers, with figures of none for 25 from his four overs.