Sri Lanka win toss, bat first in 2nd T20

Opting to bat first, the tourists, who had clinched the preceding test as well as the ODI series, posted a strong total of 175-5 with Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik contributing 46 runs each. In addition, Pakistan are also leading the two-match T20 series 1-0 which means that Pakistan will undoubtedly emerge successful in all forms of cricket after the 2015 Sri Lanka tour concludes.

Perera’s cameo was ended the next over by Shoaib Malik (2-16) who breached his defence.

For the 2nd and final T20 match of the series, Pakistan will be trying to finish in style against hosts Sri Lanka at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on August 1, 2015.

Earlier, aggressive batting by debutant Shehan Jayasuriya and the recalled Kapugedera lifted Sri Lanka to 172-7 after skipper Lasith Malinga won the toss and elected to bat in the day-night match.

Buoyed by the reversal of fortunes, Ali and Wasim followed their captain’s lead, getting Pakistan over the line, much to Sri Lanka’s frustrations. Pakistan won that series, as well, by a 3-2 tally.

Both sides wear a fresh look under new captains, with Lasith Malinga leading Sri Lanka and Shahid Afridi taking over for Pakistan, which is ranked fifth, when the two sides meet.

Man-of-the-match Ali, coming in at No 9, cracked a brilliant 46 from just 17 deliveries, hitting four sixes and three fours in his quickfire innings.

Kapugedera teamed up with Milinda Siriwardana to put on 55 in 34 balls for the sixth wicket as Sri Lanka managed to plunder 59 runs from the final five overs.

Later, Anwar Ali showed what he is really capable of achieving scoring 46 off only 17 balls with 3 fours and 4 towering sixes. If a gesture comes from them I will be very happy.

In reply, Sri Lanka stuttered from start of their innings and could only make 146 within their allotted 20 overs. Pakistan lost their first wicket as Mukhtar Ahmed got out in the second over itself of Angelo Mathews ball.

However, the Pakistanis had other ideas and inflicted a crushing defeat on their hosts in the first T20 on Thursday and set themselves up for a clean sweep across all three formats which would truly be the icing on the cake.