Pakistan v Sri Lanka
A review of matches in the Warid Cricket Series, 2007
Osman Samiuddin
15-Apr-2008
At Abu Dhabi, May 20, 2007 (day/night). Pakistan won by 98 runs. Toss: Pakistan. One-day
international debut: B. S. M. Warnapura.
A solid all-round performance, topped off with more Shahid Afridi magic, helped Pakistan wrap
up the series. Salman Butt and Yasir Hameed set them up in elegant, speedy fashion. After 20
overs, they were coasting at nearly seven an over, but the innings stalled when both batsmen
chipped return catches. The flat spin of Bandara and Dilshan pulled back the scoring-rate, but
Kamran Akmal steered Pakistan towards 300. Tharanga and Mahela Jayawardene seemed to have
that within their grasp, the captain confirming himself as the most assured presence at the crease
outside Australia's ranks. The hundred came up in the 15th over, but, with the match slipping
away, Shoaib Malik held back the last powerplay, brought himself and Afridi on, and watched Sri
Lanka slowly choke to death. The two spinners bowled out their 20 overs in tandem, conceding
only 83 runs and taking four wickets. Jayawardene fought on, but when he was bowled in
Mohammad Asif's comeback over, the contest was finished.
Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of Cricinfo