49.2 overs Sri Lanka 236 (Dickwella 73, Junaid 3-40, Hasan 3-43, Amir 2-53) v Pakistan
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Mohammad Amir bowled Angelo Mathews in the 32nd which triggered a Sri Lanka collapse © Getty Images
Pakistan bowled as only Pakistan can. That’s probably enough to summarise an innings where Sri Lanka saw off the new ball, kept control of their innings, maintained a steady run-rate and dominated for large parts of their innings. Yet, they were bowled out on 236, well below the par score, owing to a sensational four-over burst from Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan. The two left-armers ripped the heart out of the Sri Lankan middle order as they went from 161 for 3 to 167 for 7.
It was superb fast bowling, evoking comparisons with some of the greats of Pakistan cricket. That it came right after the innings’ second drinks break spoke either for some kind of strategy, or an especially rousing team talk from the captain Sarfraz Ahmed. Either way, it was match-turning.
Sri Lanka were setting up effectively for the final flourish, with Niroshan Dickwella and Angelo Mathews locked in a settled partnership, before Amir dismissed Mathews off the second ball of the 32nd over, the batsman dragging on. Junaid followed up next over with a length delivery that seamed teasingly away from newcomer Dhananjaya de Sliva and took his outside edge. Sarfraz then pulled off a superb reflex catch to get rid of the Dickwella for 73 and Thisara Perera was caught at slip next over. Sri Lanka’s position of strength was decimated in mere minutes.
More to follow…
Danyal Rasool is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @Danny61000
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo