Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Live Match: An Exciting Encounter
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been two of the most competitive cricket teams in the world. Their matches have always been full of excitement and thrill, and the recent live match was no exception. The match was held on 20th October 2019, at the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan. The match was part of the Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan, which marked the return of international cricket to Pakistan after a gap of ten years. In this article, we will discuss the highlights of the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka live match and analyze the performance of both teams.
The Toss
The toss is always a crucial factor in any cricket match, and the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka live match was no different. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. This decision proved to be fruitful for them as they were able to put up a decent total on the board.
The Sri Lankan Innings
Sri Lanka got off to a slow start as they lost their opener, Danushka Gunathilaka, early in the innings. However, Avishka Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksa steadied the ship and put up a partnership of 76 runs. This partnership was crucial for Sri Lanka as it helped them to set a good platform for the rest of the innings. Fernando played an excellent knock of 78 runs off 72 balls, which included eight fours and two sixes. Rajapaksa also played well, scoring 32 runs off 45 balls.
After the dismissal of Fernando, Sri Lanka lost a few quick wickets, but Dasun Shanaka’s quickfire 12-ball 27 helped them to post a competitive total of 297 runs in their allotted 50 overs.
The Pakistani Innings
Pakistan’s start was not ideal as they lost their opener, Fakhar Zaman, early in the innings. However, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam put up a partnership of 111 runs, which gave Pakistan hope of chasing down the target. Azam played a brilliant knock of 115 runs off 105 balls, which included four fours and eight sixes. However, after the dismissal of Azam, Pakistan lost a few quick wickets, which dented their chances of winning the match. The lower order tried their best, but they fell short by 35 runs, ending their innings at 262 runs.
The Bowling Performances
Both teams had some good bowling performances in the match. Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Pradeep was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets for 60 runs in his ten overs. Lahiru Kumara and Wanindu Hasaranga also bowled well, taking two wickets each. For Pakistan, Mohammad Amir and Shadab Khan took two wickets each, but they were not able to restrict Sri Lanka to a lower total.
The Result
Sri Lanka won the match by 35 runs, which was a significant victory for them. This win helped them to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Conclusion
The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka live match was an exciting encounter that showcased some excellent cricket from both teams. Sri Lanka’s batting performance was the highlight of the match, and their bowlers were able to defend the total successfully. Pakistan’s batting was also commendable, but they were not able to chase down the target. The match was a great advertisement for the return of international cricket to Pakistan, and it showed that Pakistan is a safe and secure country for cricket.