PAK vs SL Ball by Ball Commentary

SIX! Nafay finishes off in style and Pakistan win by 4 wickets. On a back of a length, around the off stump line. Khawaja Nafay stands tall and swings it powerfully over long on for a six. Doesn't even bother to see whether the ball has sailed all over the ropes as he holds his pose with confidence. Pakistan go 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series.

Back of a length, zipping and jagging back in with bounce. Imran is taken by surprise by the extra bounce and is cramped up for room. Tries to work it across but takes a stinging blow on the right forearm. The ball deflects to the off side, in thereabouts of cover-point for a leg bye.

A dipping full toss, on the stumps. Imran jams the bat down in time and shovels it to the bowler.

OUT! TAKEN! Another wicket has fallen, despite only 3 runs required. Shadab tries to hit the winning runs but falls. Hits the deck hard does Malinga and bangs in a shorter one, around middle and leg, offering very little room to extend the arms. Shadab takes on the short ball with a hook shot, but can only sky a top edge deep down the leg side. Thushara moves across from long leg, positions himself comfortably beneath the high ball, and scoops it safely into his cusp.

Good running between the sticks! Much fuller, on off. Khawaja Nafay knocks it toward the right of the mid off fielder and sprints to the other end to take the single.

Bangs hard onto the length, over middle. Shadab Khan misses out to connect his pull and gets beaten on the top edge.

OUT! CAUGHT! A splendid effort in the deep by Sahan Arachchige. Thushara sends down a full toss on leg stump, and Farhan, who has moved back and across, whips it into the air through the on side. There is not enough elevation on the shot as the ball sails flatly. Arachchige is the man at deep mid-wicket. He charges in, launches himself forward and snatches the ball with both hands inches off the turf. It is a magnificent grab, but it comes far too late to rescue Sri Lanka.

SIX! The biggie from the skipper and Pakistan should be able to get the rest of the chase with ease. Short of a length, outside off. Sahibzada Farhan backs away and slaps it over deep cover for a biggie.

FOUR! A loose delivery gets its treatment. Aiming for a yorker, but spilling out a low full toss, on middle. Sahibzada Farhan hangs back and heaves it toward deep square leg for four runs.

Yorker, outside off, Sahibzada Farhan jams it away, but straight to the cover fielder.

FOUR! THWACK! Nuwan opens the over with a bouncer outside off, and Farhan, clearly in no mood to hang around, is ready for it. He rocks back, slaps it in the air and sends it sailing over the cover fielder for four.

Flighted well outside off, on a good length. Farhan skips down the track with a big heave across the line in mind. But only manages to get it off the inner half of the bat. The ball dribbles out to deep mid-wicket, where they pick up a single.

Short and sliding into the batter, stabbed back to the bowler off the back foot.

Quicker and flatter, outside off. Farhan knocks the length ball to the cover fielder.

Drags it short and outside off, Farhan backs away and slaps it to widish deep cover-point for a couple of more runs.

Onto the pads, drifting down leg, Nafay whips it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Slower through the air, on a length, outside off. Nafay hangs back and cuts it to deep point for a couple of runs.

Spins in from middle to leg, on a length. Nafay knocks it down to long on for a single.

Quicker through the air, full on off, Khawaja pushes it back to the bowler. 25 runs needed off 25 balls.

Short outside off, Farhan punches hard off the back foot to cover. A half-stop there by the fielder allows the batters to steal a run.

Drops it a tad short, on leg, punched off the back foot to mid-wicket. The fielder there makes a fine diving stop to his left.

Length ball at the pads from over the wicket. Nafay works it to deep backward square leg for a single.

OUT! BOWLED! Absolute jaffa from Theekshana who has his second wicket. He dishes out a length-delivery from around the stumps. It lands and turns in a mile into the batter, Saim Ayub goes back and across to punch it to the off side but the ball skids and sneaks through the gap between bat and pad and clatters into the stumps. Farhan is stranded at the other end as he sees another batter fall. Pakistan are 158/4, needing 25 runs.

Back of a length, outside off, Saim Ayub slices it to deep point for a single.

Bangs hard into the good length, shaping in, over middle. Sahibzada Farhan tries to pull it, but the ball stays a bit low and beats the under edge to hit around the batter's midriff. The ball further bounces off toward cover and the batter gets across for a leg bye.

Short of a length, shaping outside off. Saim Ayub guides it through backward point and gets a single.

FOUR! Near, but not near enough. 150 up for Pakistan. They need just 30 runs to win from 33 balls. Ayub gets served with plenty of width on a platter, and he doesn’t pass it up. It's short and well outside off, and he gives it a mighty slash, slicing the ball over backward point. The sweeper on the off side goes full tilt to his right and throws himself at the ball right by the rope, but he's a fraction too late and it clears the line.

Good length and outside the off stump, Ayub leans into the drive, flaying it through the cover point region. The man at deep point moves to his right but fumbles the pick-up, and that lets Ayub scamper back for the second.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Dushmantha Chameera gets back into the attack and strikes on the frist first ball. Full-length delivery, angling down the leg side. Hasan Nawaz tries to glance it away, but ends up getting a slight inside edge before it strays down the leg side, and Kusal Mendis shows great agility behind the stumps, tracking the deflection to his left to hold a clean catch.

Turning in, on a nagging length, around middle. Hasan Nawaz clips it to square leg and gets a single.

OUT! LBW! Theekshana strikes but that seems to be too little too late for the Islanders. The whirlwind 92-run stand is broken. Pitched on a length, around the off stump. It lands and bites into the surface and zips back in with real venom. Sadaqat reads the line wrongly, and his attempted punch down the ground finds nothing but air as the ball slips through the gap between bat and pad. It raps him on the back pad, plumb in front of middle and leg stumps. A gentle appeal is all that is needed for the umpire to raise his finger. Maaz trudges off without reviewing. Pakistan are 146/2 in 13.5 overs, needing 37 runs in 37 balls.

Short, around off, Farhan punches it to the left of the bowler. Maheesh Theekshana des well to make a half stop and the batter gets across.

FOUR! The runs are just not stopping! Short of a length, just outside off. Sahibzada Farhan transfers his weight onto his back foot and spanks it toward the right of the diving extra cover fielder for four runs.

FOUR! This is just getting better and better for the newly appointed captain of Pakistan. Maheesh Theekshana drags his length back, over middle. Sahibzada Farhan gets on his back foot and pulls hard at it to beat the deep backward square leg fielder to his left for four runs.

SIX! HUMONGOUS! Tossed up, fuller, just outside off. Sahibzada Farhan crouches down on one knee and slog sweeps it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Flatter and quicker, full on the off stump. Farhan works it down to long on for a single.

Beaten! Tossed up delivery around the off stump. Farhan leans forward, looking for a big booming cover drive on the up, but the ball spins and zips past the inside edge. Kusal Mendis grabs the ball cleanly behind the stumps and whips the bails off in a flash. Oh, hang on! The on-field umpires have sent it upstairs for a stumping check. The TV umpire checks a couple of replays and he finds Farhan's back foot completely grounded and inside the crease when Kusal dislodges the stumps. NOT OUT flashes on the giant screen.

FOUR! Oh no, another misfield from the Lankans! Short and wide outside off. Farhan slaps it hard through the cover region! Arachchige charges across from sweeper cover, slides to cut it off, but overruns the line of the ball. It slips right through his fingers and trickles away to the rope for four.

FIFTY FOR SADAQAT! It is a quick one from Maaz Sadaqat, but his shots have been utterly pure. Short of a length, around middle. Maaz Sadaqat rocks back and tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a single to get to his maiden half-century in T20Is and he gets there in just 28 balls. What a day for the 21-year-old. He had a productive CPL, with a couple of centuries to his name, and he has now carried that form into the national colours in superb fashion.

A touch fuller, on middle. Maaz Sadaqat powers it groundedly, toward deep square leg and gets a brace.

WIDE! Pitches it up, way outside off. Maaz Sadaqat fails to connect his reverse sweep and the umpire calls a wide.

Short of a length, around off, Maaz Sadaqat pats it to cover.

An off-cutter, on a length, outside off. Maaz rocks back and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Beaten! Back of a length, outside off, Maaz Sadaqat charges down the track to slaps it away but misses.

FOUR! Oh, that's way too casual from Dunith Wellalage! Back of a length around leg, and Sadaqat nudges it off his hips towards deep backward square leg, where a single looks like the most he will get. Then Wellalage spoils it. He lets his eyes drift off the ball in the deep, fumbles the pick-up, and it dribbles away over the rope. A simple single becomes a gifted boundary. Nothing going right for Sri Lanka in their defence.

Bouncer, just outside off. Maaz Sadaqat tries to upper cut it, but fails to find the connection.

Back of a length, outside off, Farhan rocks back and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Pitches it on a length, outside off, Maaz rocks back and flays it through covers for a single.

Dropped short, on leg, Maaz hangs back and drags it with a pull shot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FIFTY FOR FARHAN! The new skipper takes responsibility for the chase, and he is not letting his teammates or the fans of Pakistan down. Fuller in length, on middle, Sahibzada Farhan works it to wide mid on and gets a single to get to his 11th half-century in T20Is and his third against Sri Lanka in this format.

Shorter on, outside off, Maaz Sadaqat slaps it to cover for a single.

A touch fuller, on off, Maaz Sadaqat pulls it to deep square leg for a brace.

SIX! KABOOM! Flatter trajectory from Wellalage, pitching it outside off. Maaz Sadaqat skips down the track, gets to the pitch of the delivery and smashes it over long on for half a dozen.

Fuller, on middle, Maaz Sadaqat lunges to drive it to long on, but gets on the outside edge before it rolls toward cover.

Slower delivery, full and outside off, Sadaqat reaches out and drives it to wide long off for a single. At halfway, Pakistan are 104/1 and that also brings up the 50-run partnership between Maaz and Farhan.

Wide! A slower ball on a good length, well outside off and hugging the tramline. Sadaqat steps out and stretches for the square drive, but he misses it and the keeper gathers behind the stumps. The umpire signals wide, which looks like a harsh call, and Shanaka is far from pleased about it.

Full and seemingly an off-pace delivery, outside off. Maaz mistimes the drive, straight to the cover fielder.

Fuller from over the stumps, on the stumps, angling in. Farhan flicks it firmly to deep mid-wicket for a single. He moves to 49!

Short of a length, angling in from around the stumps. Maaz Sadaqat hangs back and runs it down to long off for a single.

FOUR! 100 UP FOR PAKISTAN! Back of a length and drifting down the leg side, a gift for Sadaqat. He gets inside the line, swivels into the pull and sends it racing to the fine leg fence.

Good energetic running! Full on the pads, Maaz Sadaqat whips it to the right of deep square leg and they hurry back for the second run. The throw arrives towards the batting end and cannons into Sadaqat’s left leg. He looks to be in some discomfort for a moment, but he shakes it off and carries on.

SIX! GIGANTIC! Drops it into the wheelhouse, full on the stumps. Sahibzada Farhan picks the length early, drops down to one knee and handsomely slogs it over long on for a massive six.

Short and wide outside off from over the stumps. Farhan throws his bat at it and punches it off the toe end to cover.

Full and pushed through, on off, Maaz drives it to long off for a single.

FOUR! That's a poor delivery and it gets the treatment! Maheesh comes from around the stumps and darts in a short ball that slides down leg. Maaz Sadaqat uses the pace and just whips it over short fine leg for a boundary. One bounce and into the fence.

Dishes out the carrom ball, short on off. Sahibzada Farhan backs away and punches it to long off for a single. Pakistan need exactly 100 runs from 70 balls.

Flatter, shorter, on off. Farhan hangs back and stabs it down the pitch.

Comes from around the stumps and bashes the length hard, does Dasun. Angles the ball into the batter and gets it to kick up a bit as well. That cramps Maaz for room as he looks to play at it. Gets an inside edge onto the left boot. He hobbles a bit, but looks fine to resume.

Short of a length, around off. Farhan camps back and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Short and on off, Farhan chops it off the back foot to the off side.

Short of a good length around middle and leg. Sadaqat works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short of a good length, spilling down the leg side. Farhan tries to tickle it fine to the off side, but the ball appears to flick his thigh pad on the way through. Mendis springs to his left and gets a glove on it, cutting off the boundary, and the batters take a leg bye!

FOUR! Greeted with a crisp punch! Back of a length, outside off, Sahibzada Farhan hangs back, lets the ball arrive and punches it into the gap through cover and mid off for a cracking boundary. Farhan moves to 40.

Darts in a yorker on middle, Farhan shovels it out and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Comes from around the wicket. It is a length ball around the off stump at 94.9 kph. Sadaqat leans into a drive and sends it to the right of Theekshana, who dives and gets a hand to it, but can only manage a half stop. The batters hurry through for a quick single.

Full and flat, on off, Farhan drives it down to long off for an easy single.

Similar delivery, full and turning away. Farhan gets a leading edge and the ball is sliced along the ground to cover.

Spins away, full on off, Farhan looks to flick it to the leg side, but gets a slight leading edge and the ball rolls to the off side.

Short of a length at the off stump. Tucked away to the left of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

FOUR! Despite losing a wicket, the guns are just stopping. Eshan Malinga bends his back and offers a good bouncer, over off. Maaz Sadaqat gets on his toes, arches backward and opens the face of his bat to cut it over short third for four more runs. You can just admire these kinds of shots and nothing else.

SIX! BANG! Good-length delivery, around middle and off. Maaz Sadaqat strides out and swats it over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen.

On a length, on off, Maaz Sadaqat dabs it to backward point.

SIX! Maaz Sadaqat has arrived with that biggie. Pitches it up, on off, angling just a shade away from the batter. Maaz Sadaqat prods forward and offers a no-look flick to hit it uppishly over deep square leg for a massive six.

Hits the deck hard and gets the bounce off the deck, just outside off. Maaz Sadaqat rocks back and guides it to point.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Commentators curse, anyone? We had barely finished praising the way both openers had started, and Fakhar is on his way back. Full credit to Eshan, though, who hit the right areas to earn it. He bangs it on a short of a good length, outside the off stump. Fakhar Zaman hops on the toes and tries to play the square cut through point but the extra bounce does him in. The ball gets big on him, takes the outside edge and carries through to the keeper. Kusal Mendis ain't dropping those. Pakistan are 54/1, chasing 183 runs.

FOUR! Thumped away! On a nagging length, just outside off. Sahibzada Farhan stays on his back foot and punches it hard through cover for four runs.

Back of a length, outside off. Sahibzada Farhan makes room and slices it over backward point for a brace. The double brings up the 50 for Pakistan in just 4.5 overs.

Another slower one, fuller, on middle, Fakhar Zaman clips it to square leg for a single.

FOUR! More runs for Pakistan! Slower delivery from Chameera, fuller in length, around off. Fakhar Zaman clears the front foot and waits for the proper timing to hit it over mid on for four runs.

Short, around off, Sahibzada Farhan taps it to cover and gets a single.

FOUR! Pitched up and full, on off and middle. Sahibzada Farhan has spotted that both fielders down the ground are inside the inner circle, so he backs himself and swings hard, going over the top. The ball does not come off the sweet spot, finding the toe end of the bat, but there is enough power in the shot to carry it all the way to the boundary.

Slightly fuller than a length, outside off, Fakhar stays leg side and knocks it away to cover-point. Excellent over by Malinga. Just 3 runs from it.

Good variation from Malinga! Slower one at just 112.9 kph, full and outside off. Fakhar Zaman is completely deceived by the lack of pace. He swings hard to heave it over mid-wicket but misses to connect.

Tighter around the off stump, on a length, Fakhar Zaman tries to tap it to the off side, but the ball nips in, takes the inside edge and rolls off the thigh pad to the off side.

Back of a length, around off, Farhan punches it to deep point for a single.

That was a sizzling delivery from Eshan! Generates steep bounce from a good length, on top of off. Sahibzada Farhan hops back to work it across but his bat comes late after the ball shoots behind to the keeper. Kusal Mendis leaps and makes a good grab over his head.

Back of a good length around fourth stump, and it lands and nips back in sharply. Farhan goes to punch it straight, but the ball cuts in and takes a thick inside edge, rolling away to the right of deep backward square leg. They hurry back for two.

Short in length, on off, Farhan waits back and pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single. 29 runs from the last 2 overs for Pakistan.

SIX! Handsomely played! Fuller and shaping away, on off. Sahibzada Farhan gets underneath the ball nicely and pumps it over long off for a cracking six.

A bit fuller and around off, Farhan carves it to mid off.

FOUR! SHOT! Much fuller, just outside the off stump. Sahibzada Farhan leans on it and drives to beat the mid on fielder for four runs.

IN THE AIR AND PUT DOWN! Shanaka is the guilty party. Full and on the leg stump, shaping away late. Farhan tries to clear the bowler’s head without moving his feet, but the bat twists in his hands and he slices it high towards mid off. Shanaka is backpedaling, with the ball swirling in the air, and he makes a real mess of it, failing to even get his fingertips to it. They scamper back for a couple. Farhan survives a scare.

Outswinger, on a length around off stump. Farhan looks to play the booming drive, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Oh my word... that is an exceptional save from Sahan Arachchige! Short of a length around leg, swinging across. Zaman tries to whip it away but closes the face way too early. He gets a leading edge that sails high towards the third man boundary. Arachchige sprints across to his right, leaps high into the air, pulls off a mid-air catch, and flicks it back into play just before landing beyond the ropes. He scrambles back in to tidy up and save the four some crucial runs for his team.

FOUR! Now, through the off side! Hard-length delivery, slanting across, outside off, Fakhar Zaman cuts it to deep cover and gets another boundary.

FOUR! Easy pickings for Zaman! Much fuller, around the pads, trying to trap the batter, but Fakhar Zaman understands the assignment and flicks it swiftly through square leg for another boundary.

Fuller, on middle, Fakhar Zaman flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a brace.

FOUR! Another streaky boundary, this time from Fakhar Zaman's willow. Good-length delivery, angling in, around off. Fakhar Zaman tries to heave it across, but induces the outside edge and it flies way over the short third region for four runs.

Full-length delivery, around leg. Fakhar Zaman fails to flick it away and wears on the front pad.

A touch fuller, just outside off, nipping away. Sahibzada Farhan tries to work it across, but misses on the outside edge.

FOUR! Streaky! On a good length, outside off, shaping away. Sahibzada Farhan looks to lash it over cover, but gets an outside edge and it flies over short third for a boundary.

Pitches it up, on leg, Fakhar Zaman misses his flick and wears on the pad, before it rolls toward short fine leg for a leg bye.

Good length, outside off, Farhan pats it to cover for a single to get off the mark. Pakistan are underway as well!

Just a shade behind the fuller length, on off, Farhan nudges it to mid-wicket.

A beauty to start with! Pitching it fuller, on off, nipping it away from the batter. Sahibzada Farhan gets across and looks to work it to the leg side, but gets beaten on the outside edge.