So that is it from us for this game! Pakistan have put in an all-round performance to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Sri Lanka were pretty poor and let us hope they learn from their mistakes and come out fighting. Will we see the visitors level the series in the next game? It will be played on the 16th of October in Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi (1100 GMT), 1500 local. Till then, good bye and cheers!
Pakistan skipper, Sarfraz Ahmed starts by thanking the almighty. Credits his batsman and bowlers for the way they played. Reckons he has a lot of options with the ball and he makes full use of those. Opines the conditions here are favorable for batting first. Ends by saying the experienced players gave them confidence after the loss in the Test series.
Sri Lankan skipper, Upul Tharanga says they lost five wickets cheaply. Mentions at one stage they could have kept them under 270 but were sloppy in the field towards the end. He feels the batsmen need to take responsibility and score big in the next game.
Man of the Match, Shoaib Malik says they were bowling well in the middle overs. Admits rotating the strike was important. Further adds a few dot balls can be covered in the end. Credits Babar Azam and Hafeez for their innings. Mentions when you have experience you need to stand up when the team is down.
The Sri Lankan batsmen did not apply themselves in and there was only one 50-run stand in their innings. Lahiru Thirimanne and Akila Dananjaya were the only two who showed some fight but it was never going to be enough. Earlier in the day, the away side managed to win the toss and put the home side into bat. They set a massive 293 as a target courtesy of a hundred from Babar Azam and a breezy 81 from Shoaib Malik. The target proved to be too much for the visitors as the Pakistan bowlers kept chipping away at the wickets and made it difficult for them. Stay tuned for the presentation.
The Lankans have been blown away by Pakistan. Chasing 293 was never going to be easy and they got off to the worst start possible losing Dickwella early and then they never recovered. Ruman Raees ran through the top order and then Hasan Ali made a mockery of the middle order. Even the spinners did their bit, with Hafeez being the pick as he was economical and also took the all important wicket of Tharanga.
49.6That's it! PAKISTAN WIN BY 83 RUNS! Shortish outside off, Lakmal cuts it through backward point for a run. Sri Lanka have managed to play out the fifty overs. Pakistan will be disappointed with that. They would have wanted to bowl them out early. Nevertheless they will be happy with the fact that they have won it. It is their 5th consecutive win and it is Sri Lanka's 8th consecutive loss in ODIs.
49.5Fifty for Akila. His first in ODI cricket. He is very happy, acknowledges the applause from the dressing room. Hasan bowls it shorter in length on off, Akila tries to pull it but gets an inside edge besides the pitch and the batsmen run through for a quick single.
49.4Akila finally gets on strike! Full ball on off, Lakmal tries to go big but gets it off the inner half through square leg for a run.
49.3FOUR! Shorter in length on middle. Lakmal pulls it hard over mid on for a boundary.
49.2Slower ball completely foxes him. Lakmal tries to keep it out but gets beaten.
49.1Length ball on off, Lakmal tries to play across the line but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
48.6Full toss on middle, Lakmal mistimes his drive towards long on for a run. 202/8
48.5Fullish ball on off, Lakmal tries to go big but hits it back to the bowler who deflects the ball to the man at covers.
48.4Fuller in length on off, Lakmal drives it to mid on.
48.3Goes for the yorker on off, Akila flicks it down to square leg for a run.
48.2Back of a length on off, Akila guides it to point.
48.1The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
47.6Slower bumper again! Lakmal is early into the pull and the ball hits him on the helmet. 200/8
Suranga Lakmal strides out to the middle.
47.5OUT! Finally, finally Pakistan get the breakthrough! Hasan bangs in a short ball which kept coming into the batsman. Vandersay tries to take evasive action but the ball kept coming in. It takes the glove and goes to the keeper who catches it. The Pakistan players appeal and the umpire raises his finger. The frustrating 68-run stand comes to an end.
47.4Slower ball on middle. Flicked to mid-wicket.
47.3Shorter in length again on off, Akila guides it down to third man for a run. 200 up for the Lankans.
47.2The batsman gets up on his toes to play that one.
47.1Good length on off, it goes off the inner half towards square leg for a run.
Hasan Ali is into the attack.
46.6FOUR! He is starting to play some shots now. Fuller in length by Raees on middle. Akila clears his front leg and hits it over mid on and one bounce over the fence. 198/7
46.5The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot.
46.4Fuller in length on off, Akila lofts it over mid on. He does not time it well but gets enough to clear the fielder for a brace.
46.3Good length on off, jags back in. Akila tries to defend but misses and is struck on the thigh pad.
46.2FOUR! Short and on the stumps, Akila picks it early. He swivels back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. This is now Akila Dananjaya's highest score in ODI cricket.
46.1Sprays it on the pads, Vandersay flicks it towards square leg for a run.
Ruman Raees is into the attack.
45.6The batsman dances down the track and does well to block the ball. 187/7
45.5Flicks it with the spin to square leg.
45.4FOUR! Dananjaya is playing a very good knock here! He comes down the track and goes over mid-wicket with the spin for a boundary.
45.3Flatter outside off, Akila cuts it to point.
45.2The batsman gets an inside edge on that which goes fine down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
45.1Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
44.650-run stand between the two. They have played with relatively ease and maybe shown the top order that there were not a lot of demons in the wicket. Vandersay drives it down to long off for a run. 182/7
44.5Floats it outside off, the batsman drives it to covers.
44.4Mistimes his sweep to deep square leg for a run. The partnership is now 49.
44.3Works it with the spin to short fine leg. Akila wanted a run but is sent back by his partner.
44.2Flatter on off, Akila guides it to short third man.
44.1Gives it air on middle, Akila tries to flick but the ball goes off the pad to short third man.
43.6Drives it through covers for a run. 180/7
43.5Drags his length back outside off. Akila tries to cut but gets beaten.
43.4Flatter and angling into the batsman. Vandersay gets it off the inner half through square leg for a run.
43.3Slog sweeps it with the spin but straight to the man at deep mid-wicket for a run.
43.2Nails the sweep shot down towards fine leg for a run.
43.1Slower through the air on off, Vandersay punches it to point.
42.6Flatter outside off, Dananjaya guides it down to short third man. 176/7
42.5Tosses it up on off, turning back in. Akila drives it back to the bowler.
42.4The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
42.3Short again outside off, Vandersay cuts it to the man at sweeper cover for a run.
42.2Shorter in length on off, Vandersay cuts it to point.
42.1Shadab Khan who is into the attack bowls it on off. Vandersay drives it to covers.
41.6Angles it into the batsman. Vandersay drives it down to long on for a run. 175/7
41.5The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
41.4Advances down the track and drives it down to long off for a run. 42 is the partnership between these two which is also the highest partnership for Sri Lanka in this innings.
41.3Tucks it to mid-wicket with the spin.
41.2Slower through the air on leg stump, Vandersay flicks it towards square leg for a run.
41.1Full on off, Akila drives it past the bowler for a run.
40.6These two are showing their top order how it is done! Junaid bowls it short on middle. Vandersay rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket. The fielder from mid on hares after it and pulls it back and keeps it down to two. 171/7
40.5Slower one on off. Vandersay picks it well and defends it solidly.
40.4Very full on off, Vandersay drives it to the man at point.
40.3Good length on off, Vandersay drives it uppishly but on the bounce to mid off.
40.2Shorter in length outside off, Vandersay cuts it to the man at point.
40.1Fullish ball on off, Dananjaya drives it through covers for a run.
Powerplay 3 signaled. A maximum of 5 fielders can be placed outside the circle now.
39.6A yorker to finish by Imad. Vandersay does well to dig it out. 168/7
39.5Fires it on the pads, Vandersay fails to flick and gets hit on the pads. The players appeal and the umpire shakes his head. Missing leg surely.
39.4Works it with the spin down to long on for a run.
39.3Comes over the wicket and flatter outside off. Akila goes for the drive but misses.
39.2Fuller on off, Vandersay drives it past the bowler for a run.
39.1Driven to mid on by the batsman.
Imad Wasim is into the attack.
38.6FOUR! CLEVERLY PLAYED! A slower short ball by Junaid. Akila waits for it and upper cuts it over the keeper for a boundary. Sarfraz is not happy with Junaid and he wants him to bowl it quicker. 166/7
38.5Shortish length outside off, Vandersay cuts it hard to sweeper cover for a run.
38.4Short again, a well-directed one. Vandersay goes for the pull but the ball goes off something and on the bounce to the keeper. It may have gone off his forearm as there was no real effort for the catch.
38.3Lands it on a length on off, Vandersay defends it off the front foot.
38.2Slower short ball outside off, Akila cuts it through backward point for a run.
38.1Bowls a yorker but down the leg side. Akila fails to flick it but misses and is struck on the pads. There is an ambitious appeal but the umpire shakes his head. The batsmen run through for a leg bye.
Junaid Khan is brought into the attack to clean the tail up.
37.6Bouncer on middle, Dananjaya defends it onto the ground. 159/7
37.5Shorter in length on middle. Akila tucks it to mid-wicket.
37.4Very full again on leg stump. Akila flicks it through wide mid on. Malik gives it a chase and keeps it down to two.
37.3Comes around the wicket and angles it into the pads. Akila flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple.
37.2The move almost pays off! Hasan bowls it shorter in length, on middle. The ball is quick onto the batsman. Vandersay pulls it but just wide of Shadab at short mid-wicket for a run.
The point fielder is now going into a very short mid-wicket position.
37.1Fuller in length on off, tailing back in. Vandersay tries to drive but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
36.6FOUR! Fuller in length on off, Akila drives it towards wide mid off. The fielder there puts in a lazy dive and lets it through to boundary. This is the third boundary in the last 20 overs, just shows that Sri Lanka have never got going. 154/7
36.5Back of a length on off, the batsman defends it off the back foot.
36.4Short and wide, easy for any batsman. Akila cashes in on the width and cuts it past the diving point fielder. He does not have enough for the ball to reach the boundary and he gets two.
36.3Good length on off, Akila defends it solidly.
36.2Slower through the air on off, gets it to bounce a touch extra off the surface. Vandersay tucks it around the corner for a run.
36.1Fuller in length on off, Vandersay prods forward and blocks it.
35.6A full toss on middle, Akila flicks it to mid on. 147/7
35.5Bowls it on a length outside off, the batsman drives it towards covers. Shehzad there dives and makes a half stop but cannot stop the single.
35.4Very full ball on off, Vandersay drives it towards mid off for no run.
35.4WIDE! Bouncer but way down the leg side. The batsman ducks under it and the umpire signals a wide.
35.3Fuller in length outside off, Akila drives it through cover-point for an easy single.
35.2Just ahead of a length outside off, the batsman drives it through the off side for a run.
35.1Length ball on off, tailing back in. Vandersay drives it to the man at covers.
Hasan Ali is brought into the attack.
Time for Drinks.
34.6Back of a length on off, Akila guides it to point. 143/7
34.5Tries to bowl the yorker but ends up bowling a low full toss. Akila flicks it to mid-wicket.
34.4Length ball on off, driven on the up by Vandersay, through covers for a run.
34.3Comes around the wicket and lands it on a length on off, the batsman defends it solidly.
34.2Good length on off, jags back in sharply. Akila tries to defend but gets it off the inner half towards square leg for a run.
34.1Shorter in length outside off, Akila guides it to point.
33.6FOUR! Not convincing but Vandersay won't mind. Shorter in length outside off from Shadab. The ball skids off the surface. Jeffrey tries to cut but gets an outside edge down to third man for a boundary. 141/7
33.5The batsman defends it from within the crease.
33.4Shehzad once again doing some good fielding! He has been really good in the field. Shadab gives it air on off, Jeffrey drives it towards covers where Shehzad dives to his left and make a good stop.
33.3Flatter on off, Vandersay pushes it back to the bowler.
33.2Full toss on leg stump, maybe slipped out of his hands. Dananjaya drives it down to long on for a run.
33.1Gives it air on off, the batsman leans into it and drives it down to long off for a run.
32.6Comes around the wicket and lands it on a length outside off. Vadersay pushes it through covers for a run. 135/7
32.5Slower ball on off, Akila waits for it and then guides it down to third man for a run.
32.4Fuller in length on the stumps, Dananjaya drives it back to the bowler.
32.3Fuller in length outside off, Akila drives it to covers.
32.2Angles it on the pads, the batsman works it through the leg side to get off the mark.
Jeffrey Vandersay strides out to the middle.
32.1OUT! The bowling change has worked! Ruman Raees, he has been terrific today. A wicket of the first ball of his second spell. He gets his third. He comes steaming in and bowls an inswinger on a length around off. The ball shapes in late. Thirimanne tries to defend but is beaten by pace and the late swing. The ball goes onto hit him on the pads. The players appeal and the umpire raises his finger. That was plumb. Thirimanne walks back after playing a hard fought innings.
Ruman Raees is into the attack.
31.6Shorter in length again on middle, turning back in. Thirimanne pulls it through square leg to keep strike. They need some big hits now the Lankans. 132/6
31.5Gives it air on off, Akila flicks it down to long on for a run.
31.4In the air... but short! Flighted ball on middle, turning into the batsman. Akila flicks it uppishly but short of the fielder at short mid-wicket.
31.3Works it towards short fine leg with the spin and sets off for a run. The fielder there scores a direct hit at the non-striker's end but the batsman has made his crease.
31.2Drags his length back on off, turning back in. Thirimanne guides it to point.
31.1Tosses it up on off, turning into the batsman. Thirimanne drives it back to the bowler.
30.6Shorter in length outside off, Akila cuts it straight to the man at point. Sri Lanka need another 164 runs from 114 balls. 129/6
30.5The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.
30.4Floats it up on off, Thirimanne drives it down to long off for a run.
30.3Fuller on the pads, Akila flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
30.2Fifty for Thirimanne! It his 19th ODI half century. He is fighting a lone battle out there. Malik fires it down the leg side. Lahiru flicks it down towards short fine leg for a run.
30.1Shorter in length on middle, Thirimanne rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep runs to his right and makes a good tumbling stop. Two taken by the batsmen and Thirimanne moves onto 49.
29.6The batsman defends it from within the crease. 124/6
29.5Very full delivery on middle, so full that the spin is out of question. Akila drives it back to the bowler.
29.4Fires it on the pads, Thirimanne tries to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. The players appeal and the umpire stays put. A leg by taken by the batsmen.
29.3Played to the point region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
29.2Drags his length back on leg stump. Thirimanne pulls it through square leg for a run.
29.2WIDE! Errs in line and bowls it down the leg side. The umpire signals a wide.
29.1Bowls a leg spinner on middle. Akila with the spin tucks it around the corner for a run.
28.6Gives it a nice loop on middle, Akila drives it down long on for a run. 119/6
28.5Great commitment by Shehzad! Malik gives it air on middle. Thirimanne goes down on one knee and sweeps it through mid-wicket. Shehzad hares to his right and puts in a dive to push the ball back in. The umpires go upstairs to check whether he has done well. Replays show that he has saved a run for his side.
28.4Flighted ball on off, Thirimanne drives it straight back to the bowler.
28.3Drives it with the spin through mid off for a run.
28.2Quicker on the pads, Dananjaya tries to flick but misses and the ball hits the pads.
28.1Shoaib Malik who is now into the attack bowls a flatter delivery on off, comes in with the arm. Akila drives it back to the bowler.
27.6FOUR! Thirimanne is fighting a lone battle here! Shadab floats it full outside off, Thirimanne leans into it and drives it through covers for a boundary. 114/6
27.5Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
27.4Full toss outside off, Akila flicks it down to long on for a run.
27.3A googly on middle. Akila lunges forward in defense.
27.2Floats it full outside off, Thirimanne drives it down to long off for a run.
27.1Flicks it to mid-wicket with the spin.
26.6Tosses it up on off, the batsman drives it back to the bowler. 108/6
A silly mid off in place.
26.5Flighted ball on off, Akila defends it off the front foot.
26.4Quicker on off, Akila guides it towards point and sets off for a run. He is sent back by his partner as the fielder is quick to the ball. The fielder fires a throw to the keeper but the batsman makes his crease.
26.3Gives it air on off, Dananjaya defends it.
26.2Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
26.1Flatter on off, Dananjaya defends it off the back foot.
Akila Dananjaya walks out to the middle.
25.6OUT! In the air... taken! Another one bites the dust! A very good catch by the sub Fahim Ashraf. Shadab tosses it up on middle, wanting Perera to take a chance. He does so and goes for the biggie but hits it straight up in the air. Ashraf comes running in from deep mid-wicket, settles himself under it and takes it. The big hitting all-rounder is walking back now. Pakistan are now only 4 wickets away from a victory. 108/6
25.6WIDE! A leg spinner but down the leg side. Perera fails to flick and the umpire signals a wide.
25.5Bowls a leg spinner on off, Thirimanne with the turn works it down to deep backward square leg for a run.
25.4Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
25.3Flatter on the pads, Perera flicks it through square leg to change strike.
25.2Shorter in length, too easy for Thirimanne. He rocks back and pulls it through backward square leg for a run.
25.1Fuller in length on middle, the batsman drives it back to the bowler.
Shadab Khan to have a bowl now. It would be interesting to see how the tourists approach him, with the situation that they find themselves in.
24.6Shorter in length outside off, Perera cuts it to point. 8 runs from the over, a good one for Sri Lanka. 104/5
24.5The batsman drives the ball straight back to the bowler.
24.4Floats it up on leg stump. Thirimanne drives it down to long on to rotate strike.
24.3Flatter on middle, the batsman punches it down to long on for a run, Good batting, a biggie followed by a single.
24.2SIX! Perera says enough is enough! He dances down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and hits it right over the bowler's head for a maximum. Sri Lanka need a lot more of these.
24.1Again on the stumps. Perera defends it by lunging forward.
23.6Shortish ball outside off, Thirimanne cuts it towards point. Azam there fails to stop the ball and the batsmen pick up two. 96/5
23.5Drags his length back outside off, Lahiru pushes it off the back foot to point.
23.4Gives it air on off, Thirimanne guides it to point.
23.3Errs in line and drifts it on the pads, Perera flicks it through square leg for a run.
23.2Floats it on off, Thisara defends it off the front foot.
23.1Fires it on off, gets it to turn ever so slightly. Perera tries to defend but gets an outside edge towards short third man.
22.6Darts it on the stumps, Thirimanne punches it off the back foot to covers. 93/5
22.5Floats it up on off, Thirimanne defends it solidly.
22.4The batsman rocks onto the backfoot and punches the ball.
22.3Fires it onto the pads, Thirimanne flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace.
22.2Flatter on off, Lahiru guides it towards point and sets off for a run. The fielder there misfields and allows a second. Sarfraz is not happy with his effort.
22.1Hafeez into his eight over! He bowls it slower through the air on off, Thirimanne defends it solidly.
21.6Pushed with the spin through cover-point for an easy single. 89/5
21.5Quicker and outside off, TP guides it through point for a run.
21.4The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
21.3There is spin but he is bowling it a touch short on off. Perera defends it off the back foot.
21.2Flatter outside off, Perera pushes it to covers.
21.1Drags his length back and bowls it down the leg side. Thirimanne pulls it towards short fine leg for a run.
20.6Shorter in length on off, angling into the batsman. Thirimanne against the angle punches it through the off side for a run. 86/5
20.5Gives it a nice loop on off, Thisara plants his front foot ahead and drives it through mid off for a run.
20.4Quicker on the stumps. Perera defends it off the front foot.
20.3Flatter on off, turning away. Perera guides it to point.
20.2Flighted ball on leg stump, Thirimanne drives it down to long on for a run.
20.1Again Hafeez is attacking the stumps. He bowls it slower on middle. Thirimanne drives it to covers.
19.6Tosses it full outside off. Thirimanne drives it through covers for a run. 83/5
19.5Fires it on the pads, the ball skids off the surface. Perera misses the flick and gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards short fine leg and the batsmen take a leg bye.
19.4Drives it square on the off side with the spin for a run.
19.3The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
19.2Errs in line and bowls it down the leg side. Perera flicks it through square leg for a run.
19.1TURN! Shoaib Malik straightaway gets some assistance from the wicket! He bowls it slower through the air outside off, the ball turns sharply away from the batsman. Perera watchfully lets it through.
Shoaib Malik comes into the attack.
18.6Close shave! A direct hit was needed! Hafeez bowls it quicker outside off. Perera pushes it towards cover and sets off for a run. Shadab there is quick to the ball and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. No harm done. Perera was struggling there. 79/5
18.5Flicks it with the angle towards deep square leg for a run.
18.4Tosses it up on middle, Lahiru drives it to covers.
18.3Flatter on off, Perera pushes it uppishly but wide of the bowler and down to long off for a run.
18.2Similar delivery to the last one. Thirimanne taps it towards covers for a run.
18.1Slower through the air on middle, goes on with the arm. The batsman defends it solidly.
17.6Another bouncer in line of the stumps, Perera crouches low as he lets that go. 75/5
17.5This delivery is punched towards covers.
17.4Bouncer around middle and leg, Thisara ducks under it and lets it go.
17.3Perera punches this over mid off and gets a brace.
17.2Play and a miss! Ali hurls it on a length outside off, Perera makes room and looks to smash it but misses it completely.
17.1FOUR! What an anti-climax! It's a boundary off this delivery. Ali runs in and bowls it full outside off. Perera leans into the drive and plays it through covers. The ball races away to the fence.
Here is the hat-trick ball! Thisara Perera to face it.
16.6Shorter and quicker on off, Lahiru guides it to point. 69/5
16.5Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
16.4Tosses it up on middle, Thirimanne defends it off the front foot.
16.3Drifts it on the pads, Perera works it around the corner for a run.
16.2Flatter on leg stump, Thirimanne flicks it with the angle through square leg for a run.
16.1The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Thisara Perera strides out to the middle.
15.6OUT! Two in two, Hasan Ali is on fire! What a delivery for a new batsman! Siriwardana is gone for a golden duck. Ali steams in from round the wicket and bowls a yorker around middle and leg. Siriwardana plays all around that and that's that. Hasan Ali displays his trademark celebration. The crowd is roaring and so are the Pakistan players on the field. The visitors are in deep, deep trouble. Ali will be on a hat-trick in the next over. 67/5
Milinda Siriwardana is the next man in.
Drinks!
15.5OUT! Sri Lanka slip further into misery! The youngster, Kusal Mendis, is the next victim. Ali bangs it short around off and middle, Mendis looks to pull but gets a top edge. The ball goes high up in the sky and Sarfraz Ahmed settles under it to pouch it safely. Ali celebrates on the batsman's face! The visitors are still 226 away from the target.
15.5WIDE! Hasan Ali bangs it in short around off, Mendis ducks under that and lets it go. Wide signaled.
15.4Fuller around off, pushed defensively back towards the bowler.
15.3Hasan Ali comes round the wicket and spears this full outside off. Thirimanne leans and drives it through cover-point for a single.
15.2Similar delivery around off, Lahiru stands tall and knocks it towards backward point.
15.1On a length around off, pushed off the back foot towards covers.
14.6Thirimanne collects a single after playing it to long off. 65/3
14.5Quicker in line of the stumps, Mendis goes back and works it in front of square on the leg side for a run. The fielder there hurls a quick throw at the bowler's end but Kusal was well in.
14.4This ball is pushed back towards the bowler.
14.3Now Thirimanne camps back and cuts it through point for one run.
14.2FOUR! Hafeez errs but Thirimanne doesn't. The bowler fires this on the pads, Lahiru goes back and tickles it past the keeper to help himself to a boundary.
14.1Loopy delivery around off and middle, Thirimanne lunges forward and defends.
13.6A tad fuller around middle and leg, punched from the crease to mid on. 58/3
13.5Ali hurls it around off, Mendis defends it from the crease.
13.4Fuller around off, driven through covers for a single.
13.3Mendis gets going with a cut shot. Length delivery outside off, Kusal plays it through backward point for a run.
13.2On a length around off, Mendis stands tall and blocks it from the crease.
13.1Angled across the batsman, Thirimanne opens the face of the bat to collect a run towards third man.
Kusal Mendis walks in at the fall of the third wicket. He is a very able batsman but he needs to show his ability today more than ever, as his side is in dire straits here.
12.6OUT! This was always coming. Tharanga looked very fidgety as he was unable to rotate the strike and score. Hafeez has worked him up well in this over. He fires this delivery in line of the stumps, Tharanga goes for the ugly hoick but misses and finds his woodwork shattered. Excellent bit of bowling by the experienced Hafeez. Pakistan are on top here. 55/3
12.5Quicker and flatter around leg, Tharanga goes back but misses the clip. Wears it on the pads.
12.4Floated around off, Tharanga charges down only to offer his pads. A stifled appeal follows but the umpire stays unmoved.
12.3Tharanga pushes this ball back to the bowler.
12.2Tossed up ball around off, Upul uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and drive it to cover.
12.1Floats it around middle and leg, Tharanga turns it to mid-wicket.
11.6Fuller around off, driven towards covers. A good diving effort there by the fielder. 55/2
11.5This ball is defended by showing the full face of the bat.
11.5WIDE! Very full delivery wide off off, Lahiru doesn't bother to play at that. The umpire signals a wide.
11.4Short ball down the leg side, Lahiru pulls it towards fine leg. Khan runs to his left and saves a couple of runs for his side.
11.3This ball is pushed to mid on.
11.2Hasan bowls it outside off, driven towards covers.
11.1Ali bowls it on the pads, Thirimanne flicks it through mid-wicket and sets off for a run. Seeing nobody in the deep there, the batsmen go back for the second. Raees rushes to his right, fields the ball and hurls a throw at the bowler's end. The ball misses the stumps narrowly and hits the bowler's hand, enabling the batsmen to complete two runs. Had he hit directly, it would have been curtains for Tharanga.
10.6Full face of the bat shown in defending that off the front foot. 50/2
10.550 up for Sri Lanka! Hafeez hurls it outside off, Thirimanne drives it through cover-point for a run.
10.4Landed in line of the stumps, pushed towards mid on.
10.3Tharanga takes a run after driving it through mid off.
10.2Quicker around middle and leg, Tharanga again misses the ball as he looks to play it off the front foot. The ball hits his pads and goes towards slip. A stifled appeal but to no avail.
10.1Hafeez fires this flatter around middle and leg, Tharanga pushes at it but misses the ball. The ball hits him on the pads due to which the Pakistan players appeal. The umpire stays put, though. Sliding down leg maybe the reason.
Powerplay 2 signaled. A maximum of 4 players are allowed outside the circle.
9.6Full outside off, driven to the fielder at covers. 48/2
9.5A tad short around middle and leg, Tharanga looks to pull. Ends up getting it off the bottom half towards short fine leg. The batsmen scamper through for a run.
9.4Ali spears it around middle, pushed back towards the bowler by Upul.
9.3Hurled around off, Thirimanne opens the face of the bat and runs it down to third man for a run.
9.2Angled across the batsman, Lahiru pushes it towards point.
9.1Runs in from over the wicket and bowls it around off. Thirimanne defends it towards covers off the back foot.
Hasan Ali comes into the attack.
8.6Served around off and middle, blocked off the front foot by lunging forward. 46/2
8.5Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
8.4Edged but safe! Landed around off, Tharanga gets an outside edge that dies down just short of Shehzad at slip.
8.3Well fielded, Raees! The effort is commendable as he has just bowled an over. Hafeez bowls it on the pads, Thirimanne helps it towards fine leg. Rumman at short fine leg, slides to save three runs for his side.
8.2Flatter around middle and leg, turned away through square leg for a run.
8.1Serves it around off, Tharanga pushes it towards covers.
Mohammad Hafeez is brought in to bowl now. This should be interesting. He has a slip in place.
7.6FOUR! Second boundary from the over! Raees errs in line and drifts on the pads. Too easy for Thirimanne. He flicks it over mid-wicket and to the fence. 44/2
7.5Slower ball on middle, Tharanga waits for it and tucks it towards mid-wicket for a quick run.
7.4FOUR! TOP SHOT! Raees again bowls it shorter in length around middle. Tharanga picks up the length early and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. That was beautifully timed.
7.3The inswinger this time. He normally takes the ball away from the the left-handers. Raees lands it on a length around off, jags back in after pitching. Upul defends it off the back foot.
7.2Shorter in length outside off, Tharanga pushes it to the man at covers.
7.1Lands it on a length around off, Tharanga covers the line and defends it.
6.6A single after 11 balls! Tharanga flicks this through square leg for a run. 35/2
6.5Fuller around off, Tharanga gets a leading edge towards covers. The ball goes on the bounce to the fielder there.
6.4This delivery around off is punched to the cover fielder.
6.3Landed in line of the stumps, Tharanga pushes it back. Junaid rushes to his left and hurls a throw at the keeper's end. Good cricket by the bowler.
6.2A tad short outside off, cut to the fielder at backward point.
6.1Khan hurls it full outside off, Upul drives it to the fielder at cover.
5.6Bowled outside off, punched towards covers. A wicket-maiden for Raees! 34/2
5.5This delivery around off is defended from the crease.
5.4Raees hurls it outside off, Lahiru feels for it but gets beaten.
5.3Bowls it around off, Thirimanne defends it showing the full face of the bat.
Lahiru Thirimanne is the next batsman in. Sri Lanka need a big innings from this guy if they are to stay in the chase.
5.2OUT! Chandimal goes and with him the sole review that Sri Lanka had. What a start for Pakistan! The crowd is into it now as heard from the cheers. Raees steams in and spears it on a length around middle and leg. Chandimal looks to clip it away but misses and gets struck on the pads. The players appeal and the umpire raises the finger slowly. Chandimal decides to take the DRS. Hawk Eye shows three reds and signals the end of Dinesh's stay. He looked off balance as he played that shot and that isn't good. Raees is on a roll here in Dubai! The visitors are rocked early in the piece.
Is he a goner? Pakistan appeal and the umpire raises the dreaded finger slowly to rule Chandimal out LBW. The batsman chooses to review that.
5.1Raees bowls a length ball around off, Dinesh punches it to the cover fielder off the back foot.
4.6Khan hurls it across the batsman, Chandimal drives it through cover-point. The fielder from covers rushes, puts in the slide to save a run for the side. 34/1
4.5Fuller around off, driven to the fielder at covers.
Hasan Ali is seen stretching on the field. Signs of an early bowling change?
4.4Bowled around middle, flicked towards mid-wicket.
4.3This delivery is punched towards covers off the back foot.
4.2Hurled around off, Dinesh smashes it straight to the cover fielder.
4.1Edged but safe! Khan angles it across Chandimal around off. The batsman gets squared up and edges it on the bounce to the slip fielder.
3.6Punched off the back foot towards covers. 31/1
3.5This is driven towards mid off.
3.4Chandimal gets going with a flick off his pads. The ball goes through mid-wicket for a run.
The next man walking in is the Test skipper, Dinesh Chandimal.
3.3OUT! Dickwella walks back! Early strike for Pakistan, courtesy Rumman Raees! He raises his right arm to celebrate the triumph there. Bowls it in the channel outside off, Dickwella is squared up as he looks to poke at that. Gets the faintest of nicks to the keeper who makes no mistake in taking that. The crowd roars in excitement as they know the importance of this wicket. Dickwella looked good but now that's it from him tonight.
3.2This delivery is clipped through mid-wicket for a brace.
3.1FOUR! Edged but runs! Four of them. Raees bowls it outside off, Dickwella pushes at it from the crease. Gets a thick outside edge that flies past slip for a boundary. The slip fielder didn't have any chance of catching that.
2.6This ball is flicked towards mid-wicket for a run. 24/0
2.5FOUR! Poor effort by the fielder at third man. Khan hurls it full outside off, Dickwella slashes at it and gets a thick outside edge that flies towards third man. The fielder there is late to get down there and concedes a boundary.
2.4FOUR! Bowling short on this track isn't done. You will go for runs. Khan learns it the hard way. He lands it around off, Dickwella hangs back and smashes it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
2.3This ball is punched off the back foot towards covers.
2.2Short delivery around off, Dickwella plays it aerially over mid-wicket. He gets a couple before the fielder retrieves it.
2.1Khan hurls it outside off, Niroshan looks to push at it from the crease but misses.
1.6FOUR! And this one is authoritative! Raees bowls it short and Tharanga is quick to latch onto that and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. 8 off this one, not ideal for Raees. 13/0
1.5Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
1.4This ball is well outside off, shouldered arms to by Upul.
1.3Beaten! Raees lands it in a channel around off, Tharanga gets squared up as he looks to push at it.
1.2FOUR! Ahh! It is so good to see Tharanga going! Length ball outside off, Upul stands tall and cuts in front of point to collect a boundary. That's the first one of the chase!
1.1Starts off with a length delivery outside off, Tharanga shoulders arms to that.
Rumman Raees to steam in with the second new ball. Two slips in place.
0.6Another ball around middle and leg, punched off the back foot. 5/0
0.5Landed outside off, pushed to the fielder at backward point.
0.4Well kept, Sarfraz! This is bowled on a length outside off, Tharanga gets beaten on the inside as he looks to push at it. The ball lands just in front of a diving Ahmed behind the wicket, who makes a half stop. A bye stolen. The keeper saved a certain boundary there.
0.3Dickwella looks to flick this ball which is in line of the stumps. Gets it off the inner half through backward square leg for a run.
0.2On a length around off and middle, Tharanga taps it in front of square on the leg side and sets off for a quick run. The fielder there has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Upul is well in though. He gets off the mark as well.
0.1Khan runs in and spears it on a length outside off, Dickwella plays it through backward point for a single. He gets off the mark now.
0.1Starts off with an extra! Khan sprays this delivery down the leg side. Dickwella looks to flick but misses. The umpire has to stretch his arms off the first ball. Not the ideal start for the hosts. The visitors are off!
The chase is set to get underway. Sri Lanka have a mountain to climb. The openers Niroshan Dickwella and Upul Tharanga would be well aware of their importance in such a scenario. They would look to give the visitors a flying start with the bat. For Pakistan, Junaid Khan will begin with the first new cherry. He has a couple of slips in place. Here we go...
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