PAK vs SL T20I: 5 Talking points from Sri Lanka’s 3-0 mauling of Pakistan
Sri Lanka surged to an unbelievable 3-0 whitewash of the number one T20I team in the world as they completed a clean sweep of Pakistan at Lahore. The home side struggled to bat better than the visitors as they crumbled in all three chases. Sri Lanka, playing without their major names, managed to find a few new stars in this incredible series. Here are the five talking points from the three-match T20I series.
Hasnain’s unnoticed hat-trick
Sri Lanka batting first in the opening T20I were looking to accelerate after 16 overs. Danushka Gunathilaka’s 57 played a pivotal role in getting them to 135/2 in the 16th over. On the last ball of the over, Mohammad Hasnain sent down a toe-crusher to trap Bhanuka Rajapaksa LBW. Hasnain returned to bowl the 19th over. Dasun Shanaka’s bottom edge ended in Umar Akmal’s hands. On the next ball, Shehan Jayasuriya got out caught as Sri Lanka slipped further. Bizarrely, none at the ground realised that it was a hat-trick, including the bowler. Hasnain must’ve known it only in the dressing room.
Rising star – Bhanuka Rajapaksa
Bhanuka Rajapaksa
The 27-year old left-hand attacking batsman was an unknown commodity in the international cricket hitherto. With major names not touring, Bhanuka Rajapaksa earned an opportunity to make his debut. In the first game, he left an impression with his 32 from 22 balls with two fours and two sixes. In the second T20I, he stepped up a notch in his amazing 77 runs from 48 balls. His clean hitting was evident in his four fours and six sixes. He finished as the highest run-getter of the T20I series.
The batting failures
All the attention of cricket fans around the world was on Babar Azam, the number one T20I batsman in the world. However, Azam failed to deliver on all three occasions. His highest score in the series was 27. Batting at a below-par strike rate of 82.69, Azam scored only 43 runs in three outings. Ahmed Shahzad and Umar Akmal returning to the fold after a long time also disappointed. Shahzad scored only 17 runs in two innings while Akmal was out for a golden duck twice.
Wanindu Hasaranga spins a web
Wanindu Hasaranga
After a glorious ODI debut where he took a hat-trick, Wanindu Hasaranga slipped off the national radar. Grabbing the opportunity with both his hands here, Hasaranga emerged as the highest wicket-taker of the series. With the figures of 2/20, 3/38 and 3/21, the leg spinner made an impact in every game. His googly was hard to pick for the Pakistani batsmen. In the second T20I, he snapped three wickets in an over to sway the game Sri Lanka’s side.
Taking down number one T20I team at their home
Since September 2016, Pakistan won every T20I series that came their way and enjoyed a streak of 11 series victories. They then lost 1-2 to South Africa and 0-1 to England but this result was supposed to go their way. Playing against a second-string Sri Lankan team at home, Sarfaraz Ahmed’s men were outright favourites. However, Sri Lanka sprung a surprise on Pakistan by routing the home side thrice in three matches.
Thank You Lahore! #PAKvSL ? pic.twitter.com/uZzdwoRxYJ
— Sri Lanka Cricket ?? (@OfficialSLC) October 9, 2019
