SL vs PAK Ball by Ball Commentary

160/6(12.0 ov)

PAK

146/8(12.0 ov)

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 14 runs

Commentary

Pakistan

6:38 PM IST That is all from this game. The trophy has been shared. Dasun Shanaka and Salman Agha pose for the cameras. Hope you enjoyed our coverage. Thank you for joining us. We will be back with more cricket soon. Goodbye and cheers!

6:36 PM IST Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Sri Lanka says he is relieved. Expresses his gratitude to the groundstaff and the supporters who stayed till the end. Adds that the batters read the conditions, and everyone played their part. On his knock, he is happy with his performance and if he helps this way, it will help the team. Mentions that Wanindu Hasaranga is a master of this game, he handles the situation really well.

6:33 PM IST Pakistan captain, Salman Agha says it was a great game but feels they gave too many with the ball. Shares that they had to execute a bit well with the ball. Admits that more 3-4 overs would have made it a closer game, it was touch and go but that's how cricket goes. Feels they need to be better in the death overs and field well.

6:32 PM IST Wanindu Hasaranga wins the Player of the Match award and the Player of the Series award. He expresses that it was a tough game but they bowled well. Tells that the Pakistani bowlers were struggling, so he just bowled wide and slow and hit the long boundaries. Mentions that he is feeling good. They are looking forward to the next games.

6:29 PM IST ...Presentation...

6:37 PM IST The turning point arrived when Wanindu Hasaranga took the ball. The leg-spinner showed his class by striking twice in four balls, removing both the set Nafay and the dangerous Shadab Khan. While Nawaz continued to fight, his dismissal by Matheesha Pathirana at a crucial juncture left Pakistan with too much to do. Eshan Malinga held his nerve with a clinical display of death bowling to seal the historic win. Backed by superb fielding, the bowling duo of Hasaranga (4/35) and Pathirana (2/34) ensured that Sri Lanka’s courageous batting performance didn't go to waste.

6:28 PM IST The chase began with a flurry of intent from Pakistan’s captain, Salman Agha. After the early loss of Sahibzada Farhan, Agha single-handedly dragged Pakistan ahead of the required rate, dismantling the attack with back-to-back 22-run overs. His blistering innings put the visitors in a commanding position until his dismissal triggered a collapse. Pakistan slipped from a comfortable 60/1 to a precarious 67/4 in a matter of minutes. Just as the game seemed to be slipping away, Mohammad Nawaz and debutant Khawaja Nafay reignited the chase with a 49-run partnership off 26 balls, swinging the pendulum back toward a green victory.

6:34 PM IST Pakistan’s decision to bowl first initially seemed inspired when they removed both openers within two overs. Kamil Mishara had provided a lightning start but Pakistan’s new-ball attack struck back to leave the hosts at 22/2. However, Sri Lanka refused to let the falling wickets slow their momentum. A series of aggressive cameos from Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Charith Asalanka kept the scoreboard ticking, but the real explosion came at the death. Dasun Shanaka’s 34 off 9 balls and Janith Liyanage’s unbeaten 22 off 8 propelled Sri Lanka to a massive 160/6. It was a tough outing for the visitors’ bowlers, particularly Mohammad Wasim, who, despite taking three wickets, conceded 50 runs in his three-over spell.

6:26 PM IST A wonderful game after all, and the hosts level the series, thanks to the rain, a late flourish by Dasun Shanaka and Janith Liyanage with the bat and an all-round performance with the ball. Before the first ball was even bowled, the ground staff emerged as the unsung heroes, despite torrential rains that threatened a total washout, their tireless work ensured the fans were treated to a thrilling 12-over shootout.

End of over 125 runs

PAK: 146/8CRR: 12.17

Ball

Mohammad Wasim:7 (8)

Naseem Shah:1 (1)

Eshan Malinga:2-0-27-1

11.6

Eshan Malinga to Mohammad Wasim, no run

Fuller and drifting on leg. Wasim looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. Going down. Sri Lanka take a review. The UltraEdge shows there was no bat. Ball Tracking shows it would have missed the stumps. Sri Lanka win by 14 runs and level the series.

11.6

Eshan Malinga to Mohammad Wasim, 1 run

Wide! Too full and too wide, Wasim fails to connect again.

11.5

Eshan Malinga to Mohammad Wasim, no run

Slower, fuller and outside off, dies a bit off the surface. Wasim swings it wildly and misses.

11.4

Eshan Malinga to Mohammad Wasim, no run

A slower length delivery, outside off, Mohammad Wasim flashes his blade and misses.

11.4

Eshan Malinga to Mohammad Wasim, 1 run

Wide! Again well outside off, Wasim has nothing to do with it.

11.4

Eshan Malinga to Mohammad Wasim, 1 run

Wide! Full and well wide, Wasim leaves it alone.

11.3

Eshan Malinga to Mohammad Wasim, no run

Full and outside off, Eshan Malinga rolls his fingers on it. Wasim slashes his blade and misses.

11.3

Eshan Malinga to Mohammad Wasim, 1 run

Wide! Into the surface, shorter and outside off. Wasim swings and misses.

11.2

Eshan Malinga to Naseem Shah, 1 run

Touch fuller and outside off. Naseem Shah lofts it across to long on for a single.

11.1

Eshan Malinga to Mohammad Wasim, no run

OUT! RUN OUT! Faheem Ashraf goes and it should be all over for the visitors. A slower length ball, outside off. Wasim swings and misses. Faheem Ashraf was always looking for the strike but Mendis is quick to pick up and underarm it on his side. A direct hit and Faheem Ashraf is well short.

Mohammad Wasim

7 (4b 0x4 1x6)SR: 175.00

run out (Kusal Mendis)

6:08 PM IST Who'll bowl the final over? It is Eshan Malinga.

End of over 1110 runs

PAK: 141/7CRR: 12.82RRR: 20

Ball

Mohammad Wasim:7 (3)

Faheem Ashraf:9 (3)

Matheesha Pathirana:3-0-34-2

10.6

Matheesha Pathirana to Mohammad Wasim, 1 run

A yorker, outside off, Mohammad Wasim dills it to long on for a single.

10.5

Matheesha Pathirana to Mohammad Wasim, 6 runs

SIX! Powered! Matheesha Pathirana misses his yorker by just, bowls in the slot, full and on off, Mohammad Wasim thumps it down the ground to long off for a biggie. Pakistan are still not done yet.

10.5

Matheesha Pathirana to Mohammad Wasim, 1 run

Wide! Bowls it similarly again but this time it is over the tramline. A wide.

10.4

Matheesha Pathirana to Mohammad Wasim, no run

A DOT! A yorker, outside off, just inside the tramline. Wasim swings and misses.

6:04 PM IST Mohammad Wasim walks in next.

10.3

Matheesha Pathirana to Mohammad Nawaz, no run

OUT! BOWLED! Through the gap! A good length delivery on middle and leg, Mohammad Nawaz gets cramped for room as he tries to whip it across but misses and it crashes the stumps. Matheesha Pathirana rolled his fingers on it.

Mohammad Nawaz

28 (15b 2x4 2x6)SR: 186.67

b Matheesha Pathirana

10.2

Matheesha Pathirana to Faheem Ashraf, 1 run

A slower fuller delivery on the pads. Faheem Ashraf whips it to deep square leg for a single.

10.1

Matheesha Pathirana to Mohammad Nawaz, 1 run

Matheesha Pathirana bowls it full and on middle, Nawaz makes room and drives it to cover for a single.

End of over 1015 runs

PAK: 131/6CRR: 13.10RRR: 15

Ball

Faheem Ashraf:8 (2)

Mohammad Nawaz:27 (13)

Wanindu Hasaranga:3-0-35-4

9.6

Wanindu Hasaranga to Faheem Ashraf, 4 runs

FOUR! Not the end Wanindu Hasaranga would have hoped for! Slightly short, outside off. Faheem Ashraf hits it straight down the ground for a boundary.

9.5

Wanindu Hasaranga to Faheem Ashraf, 4 runs

FOUR! A bit too short, outside off, angled away. Faheem Ashraf pulls it flat and to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

5:57 PM IST Faheem Ashraf walks to bat.

9.4

Wanindu Hasaranga to Shadab Khan, no run

OUT! TAKEN! Wanindu Hasaranga picks another wicket! Flatter delivery, around off, Khan stands tall and whacks it across but didn't time it at all. Eshan Malinga at deep mid-wicket settles under it and takes it.

Shadab Khan

6 (3b 0x4 1x6)SR: 200.00

c Eshan Malinga b Wanindu Hasaranga

9.3

Wanindu Hasaranga to Shadab Khan, 6 runs

SIX! Good shot! Wanindu Hasaranga bowls on a good length and close to the off pole. Shadab Khan hits more off the back hand and over long on for a six.

9.3

Wanindu Hasaranga to Shadab Khan, 1 run

Wide! Well outside off and turning sharply away. Khan slashes his blade and misses.

9.2

Wanindu Hasaranga to Shadab Khan, no run

Spinning away again, outside off. Shadab Khan swings and misses.

5:55 PM IST The new batter in is Shadab Khan.

9.1

Wanindu Hasaranga to Khawaja Nafay, no run

OUT! TAKEN! Wanindu Hasaranga comes back and strikes! Pushes it well wide of off, turning away. Khawaja Nafay goes after it but as the ball turns away, he toe ends his shot to long off. Dhananjaya de Silva has a much simpler job to do this time. A good hand by Nafay on his debut.

Khawaja Nafay

26 (15b 1x4 1x6)SR: 173.33

c Dhananjaya de Silva b Wanindu Hasaranga

End of over 911 runs

PAK: 116/4CRR: 12.89RRR: 15

Ball

Khawaja Nafay:26 (14)

Mohammad Nawaz:27 (13)

Matheesha Pathirana:2-0-24-1

8.6

Matheesha Pathirana to Khawaja Nafay, 1 run

Full and around off, pushed to cover for a single.

8.5

Matheesha Pathirana to Mohammad Nawaz, 1 run

OH, WOW! Short in length and on middle, Mohammad Nawaz ramps it flat and to deep point. Dhananjaya de Silva hangs near the fence and leaps it just enough to get a hand on it. He realises that he is not fully in control and just flicks it back to save five runs. A single.

8.4

Matheesha Pathirana to Khawaja Nafay, 1 run

Nails the yorker on middle, dig out to cover for a single.

8.3

Matheesha Pathirana to Khawaja Nafay, 6 runs

SIX! Nafay hits one now! Bangs it short and on middle, Khawaja Nafay steps back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

8.2

Matheesha Pathirana to Mohammad Nawaz, 1 run

Pushes it full and on middle, Mohammad Nawaz whips it to mid-wicket for a single.

8.1

Matheesha Pathirana to Khawaja Nafay, 1 run

Very full and around off, Khawaja Nafay flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

End of over 817 runs

PAK: 105/4CRR: 13.13RRR: 14

Ball

Mohammad Nawaz:25 (11)

Khawaja Nafay:17 (10)

Dhananjaya de Silva:2-0-22-0

7.6

Dhananjaya de Silva to Mohammad Nawaz, 6 runs

SIX! TOP SHOT! Again in the slot, pushes it just wide on off, Mohammad Nawaz gets underneath and hammers it over long off for a six. 100 up for Pakistan.

100 Runs for the teamPakistan

Runs: 105/4

7.5

Dhananjaya de Silva to Mohammad Nawaz, 6 runs

SIX! Much needed! In the slot, very full and on middle, Mohammad Nawaz gets low, slogs it over mid-wicket and it goes the distance. Easy pickings.

7.4

Dhananjaya de Silva to Khawaja Nafay, 1 run

One more run as Khawaja Nafay heaves it to the right of long on.

7.3

Dhananjaya de Silva to Mohammad Nawaz, 1 run

Flights it full and angling on leg, Mohammad Nawaz slog-sweeps it to deep square leg for one.

7.2

Dhananjaya de Silva to Khawaja Nafay, 1 run

Very full and on middle, this is hit to long on for one more.

7.1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Khawaja Nafay, 2 runs

Flights it very full and outside off, Khawaja Nafay hits it to long off for a brace.

End of over 713 runs

PAK: 88/4CRR: 12.57RRR: 14.60

Ball

Mohammad Nawaz:12 (8)

Khawaja Nafay:13 (7)

Wanindu Hasaranga:2-0-20-2

6.6

Wanindu Hasaranga to Mohammad Nawaz, 4 runs

FOUR! Picked it well! A googly, well outside off. Mohammad gets on his knee and crunches it through covers for a boundary.

6.5

Wanindu Hasaranga to Mohammad Nawaz, 2 runs

Loops it up, outside off. Mohammad Nawaz again looks to sweep but top edges it to third man for a brace.

6.4

Wanindu Hasaranga to Mohammad Nawaz, no run

A googly, full and outside off. Mohammad Nawaz looks to sweep it away but misses.

6.3

Wanindu Hasaranga to Khawaja Nafay, 1 run

Flat and well outside off, Khawaja Nafay flat bats it to long off for a single.

6.2

Wanindu Hasaranga to Khawaja Nafay, 2 runs

Fuller delivery, outside off. Khawaja Nafay heaves it to deep mid-wicket. The fielder runs to his left and dives to save a couple of runs.

6.1

Wanindu Hasaranga to Khawaja Nafay, 4 runs

FOUR! HIT AWAY! Floats it fuller and around off, tuning in. Khawaja Nafay slog-sweeps it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

End of over 66 runs

PAK: 75/4CRR: 12.50RRR: 14.33

Ball

Khawaja Nafay:6 (4)

Mohammad Nawaz:6 (5)

Dhananjaya de Silva:1-0-5-0

5.6

Dhananjaya de Silva to Khawaja Nafay, 1 run

Flat and wide outside off. Khawaja Nafay drags his shot to long on for a single.

5.5

Dhananjaya de Silva to Khawaja Nafay, 2 runs

Too short and too wide. Khawaja Nafay throws the kitchen sink at it but without conviction. Hits it to deep extra cover for a couple of runs.

5.4

Dhananjaya de Silva to Mohammad Nawaz, 1 run

Very full and around off, eased to long on for a single.

5.3

Dhananjaya de Silva to Mohammad Nawaz, no run

Tossed up on leg, angling in. Mohammad Nawaz keeps it out on the leg side.

5.2

Dhananjaya de Silva to Khawaja Nafay, 1 run

Shorter and on off, pulled to deep square leg for a single.

5.1

Dhananjaya de Silva to Mohammad Nawaz, 1 run

Leg bye! Flatter and drifting on leg, Mohammad Nawaz fails to flick and it rolls off the pads to the left of the keeper. Kusal Mendis runs, picks up and hits the stumps at his end but Nafay was in.

End of over 57 runs

PAK: 69/4CRR: 13.80RRR: 13.14

Ball

Khawaja Nafay:2 (1)

Mohammad Nawaz:5 (2)

Wanindu Hasaranga:1-0-7-2

4.6

Wanindu Hasaranga to Khawaja Nafay, 2 runs

A low full toss on middle, Khawaja Nafay drills it to long on for a brace. Nawaz had to make his end with a dive.

5:33 PM IST Wickets falling quickly after Agha's burst. Khawaja Nafay replaces Usman Khan.

4.5

Wanindu Hasaranga to Usman Khan, no run

OUT! TAKEN! Wanindu Hasaranga is pumped up! The magician strikes twice in his first over! Floats a bit up, full and around off, Usman Khan slog-sweeps but was chasing the longer side. Pathum Nissanka runs to his right at deep mid-wicket and takes a sharp catch, running near the fence.

Usman Khan

1 (3b 0x4 0x6)SR: 33.33

c Pathum Nissanka b Wanindu Hasaranga

4.4

Wanindu Hasaranga to Usman Khan, no run

Well outside off, touch short. Usman Khan cuts but finds point.

4.3

Wanindu Hasaranga to Mohammad Nawaz, 1 run

Tossed up, around off, nudged to mid-wicket for a single.

4.2

Wanindu Hasaranga to Mohammad Nawaz, 4 runs

FOUR! A length delivery on the pads. Mohammad Nawaz sweeps it behind square leg for a boundary. Easy pickings.

5:30 PM IST Mohammad Nawaz comes ot the middle.

4.1

Wanindu Hasaranga to Saim Ayub, no run

OUT! TAKEN! That's just what he does! He finds a wicket out of nowhere! Bowls a shorter delivery into the surface and it dies a bit, around off. Ayub goes back, clears his front leg and powers it to long on but it goes off the lower part of his blade. Eshan Malinga takes yet another catch.

Saim Ayub

6 (5b 1x4 0x6)SR: 120.00

c Eshan Malinga b Wanindu Hasaranga

End of over 413 runs

PAK: 62/2CRR: 15.50RRR: 12.37

Ball

Saim Ayub:6 (4)

Usman Khan:1 (1)

Matheesha Pathirana:1-0-13-1

3.6

Matheesha Pathirana to Saim Ayub, 1 run

A single to end the over as Ayub tucks it to long on.

3.5

Matheesha Pathirana to Usman Khan, 1 run

Fuller delivery on middle, flicked to deep square leg for a single.

5:26 PM IST Usman Khan is the new man in.

3.4

Matheesha Pathirana to Salman Agha, no run

OUT! TAKEN! Even Salman Agha would be in disbelief but what hitting from the skipper. He goes for 45 off just 12 balls. Agah again premeditates and steps across to lap it over but hits it straight to short fine leg, where Eshan Malinga takes it. The ball just came in so quickly, it stuck in his hands.

Salman Agha

45 (12b 5x4 3x6)SR: 375.00

c Eshan Malinga b Matheesha Pathirana

3.3

Matheesha Pathirana to Salman Agha, 6 runs

SIX! Agha races to 45 off 11! Back of a length and on middle and leg, Salman Agha shuffles across and premeditates a scoop shot over fine leg for a six. Just uses the pace.

3.2

Matheesha Pathirana to Saim Ayub, 1 run

A straighter length delivery on the pads. Ayub wrists it over to fine leg where it falls safely. A single.

3.1

Matheesha Pathirana to Saim Ayub, 4 runs

FOUR! Greets with a boundary! A good length delivery, outside off, angled away. Ayub looks to push it away but gets an outside edge and it rolls to the third man fence.

50 Runs for the teamPakistan

Runs: 53/1

5:22 PM IST Sri Lanka should bring Wanindu Hasaranga into the attack. No, they'll bank on Matheesha Pathirana.

End of over 322 runs

PAK: 49/1CRR: 16.33RRR: 12.44

Ball

Salman Agha:39 (10)

Saim Ayub:0 (1)

Maheesh Theekshana:2-0-27-0

2.6

Maheesh Theekshana to Salman Agha, 4 runs

FOUR! There is no stopping Salman Agha at the moment! Drops it short and outside off, Agha cuts it aerially and past backward point for a boundary. 22 runs off the over.

2.5

Maheesh Theekshana to Salman Agha, 6 runs

SIX! WOW! Agha, you beauty! Length delivery, scrambled seam and on leg, Salman Agha plants his front foot out and slog-sweeps it over fine leg for a biggie.

Salman Agha

Runs: 35(9)SR: 388.89

2.4

Maheesh Theekshana to Salman Agha, 4 runs

FOUR! Runs flowing like oil! Too full and around off, Agha sweeps with the angle, hits it over short fine leg for a boundary.

2.3

Maheesh Theekshana to Salman Agha, 2 runs

Floats it on the up and attacks the stumps, Agha lofts it over cover. It goes off the slice over covers for a couple of runs.

2.2

Maheesh Theekshana to Salman Agha, 4 runs

FOUR! Superb batting from the skipper so far! Fuller length ball going down. Agha gets on his knee and helps it away to fine leg for a boundary.

2.1

Maheesh Theekshana to Salman Agha, 2 runs

Slightly short and on leg, Agha backs away and punches on the up to long on for a brace.

End of over 222 runs

PAK: 27/1CRR: 13.50RRR: 13.40

Ball

Salman Agha:17 (4)

Saim Ayub:0 (1)

Eshan Malinga:1-0-22-1

1.6

Eshan Malinga to Salman Agha, 3 runs

Bowls it in the slot, full and on middle, Agha lofts with a straight bat over mid on. Not off the middle and it falls safely at long on for three runs.

1.6

Eshan Malinga to Salman Agha, 1 run

Wide! Too full and going down. Agha looks to flick but misses.

1.5

Eshan Malinga to Salman Agha, 4 runs

FOUR! MORE! Cheeky from Agha! A slower length delivery, outside off. Agha makes room to power but delicately guides it past the keeper and to third man for four.

1.4

Eshan Malinga to Salman Agha, 6 runs

SIX! Superb! Just helped it away! Too full and slanting on middle and leg, Agha flicks in front of his pads and hits it over square leg for a six.

1.3

Eshan Malinga to Salman Agha, 4 runs

FOUR! Intent from the skipper! Good length ball on middle, Agha makes room and strokes it to deep cover, finds the gap for a boundary.

5:12 PM IST The new batter in is Salman Agha.

1.2

Eshan Malinga to Sahibzada Farhan, no run

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Back of a length, outside off, tennis bounce and Sahibzada Farhan's foot goes nowhere as he tries to cut but gets a thick inside edge onto the stumps.

Sahibzada Farhan

9 (7b 2x4 0x6)SR: 128.57

b Eshan Malinga

1.1