Asia Cup: Sarfraz, Akmal set up consolation Pakistan win
Umar Akmal hit 48 off 37 balls as Pakistan ended its Asia Cup with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka on Friday.
Pakistan reached 151-4 in 19.2 overs after Sri Lanka posted 150-4 with opener Tillakaratne Dilshan undefeated on 75 off 56 balls.
Sarfraz Ahmed scored 38 for Pakistan while opener Sharjeel Khan made 31.
Akmal’s 56-run partnership with Shoaib Malik (13 not out) was key to Pakistan’s victory. Akmal smashed a six to level the score before another attempt cost his wicket. Malik took a single for victory.
Dilshan claimed 1-2 with his off-spin.
Both teams were already out of contention for Sunday’s final between Bangladesh and India.
Squads:
Pakistan
Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Iftikhar Ahmed, Sarfraz Ahmed†, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi*, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Nawaz (3)
Sri Lanka
LD Chandimal*, TM Dilshan, DSNFG Jayasuriya, N Dickwella†, CK Kapugedera, TAM Siriwardana, MD Shanaka, NLTC Perera, KMDN Kulasekara, HMRKB Herath, PVD Chameera
Match summary
Umar Akmal hit 48 off 37 balls as Pakistan ended its Asia Cup with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka.
Pakistan reached 151-4 in 19.2 overs after Sri Lanka posted 150-4 with opener Tillakaratne Dilshan undefeated on 75 off 56 balls.
Sarfraz Ahmed scored 38 for Pakistan while opener Sharjeel Khan made 31.
Akmal’s 56-run partnership with Shoaib Malik (13 not out) was key to Pakistan’s victory. Akmal smashed a six to level the score before another attempt cost his wicket. Malik took a single for victory.
Dilshan claimed 1-2 with his off-spin.
Both teams were already out of contention for Sunday’s final between Bangladesh and India.
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six wickets
PAK 151/4
Over 19.2 (1 run)
S Malik 13* (17) | I Ahmed* 0* (0)
19.2: Perera to Malik, 1 run. That could have been caught too, but dropped. Pakistan win!
19.1: Perera to Malik, no run
Perera to bowl the final over. Pakistan need one more run to win.
PAK 150/4
Over 19 (9 runs, 1 wicket)
S Malik* 12* (15)
18.6: Nuwan to Akmal, OUT! Perera takes a stunner on the boundary. Akmal departs on 48.
18.5: Nuwan to Akmal, SIX! What a shot! Akmal smacks it over long on!
18.4: Nuwan to Malik, 1 run
18.3: Nuwan to Akmal, 1 run
18.2: Nuwan to Akmal, no run
18.1: Nuwan to Malik, 1 run
Nuwan comes in to bowl his final over.
PAK 141/3
Over 18 (12 runs)
U Akmal 41* (33) | S Malik* 10* (13)
17.6: Chameera to Akmal, no run
17.5: Chameera to Akmal, FOUR! Full toss, charged!
17.4: Chameera to Akmal, 2 runs
17.3: Chameera to Akmal, no run
17.2: Chameera to Akmal, FOUR! (bye) Awkward bounce and the ball races away towards the third man fence.
17.2: Chameera to Akmal, (wide)
17.1: Chameera to Malik, 1 run
Chameera continues.
PAK 129/3
Over 17 (8 runs)
U Akmal 35* (28) | S Malik* 9* (12)
16.6: Nuwan to Akmal, no run
16.5: Nuwan to Malik, 1 run
16.4: Nuwan to Akmal, 1 run
16.3: Nuwan to Malik, 1 run
16.2: Nuwan to Akmal, 1 run
16.1: Nuwan to Akmal, FOUR! Drives it inside out over the covers.
Nuwan returns.
PAK 121/3
Over 16 (2 runs)
S Malik 7* (10) | U Akmal* 29* (24)
15.6: Chameera to Malik, no run
15.5: Chameera to Malik, no run
15.4: Chameera to Akmal, 1 run
15.3: Chameera to Malik, 1 run
15.2: Chameera to Malik, no run
15.1: Chameera to Malik, no run
Chameera returns.
PAK 119/3
Over 15 (19 runs)
U Akmal 28* (23) | S Malik* 6* (5)
14.6: Siriwardana to Akmal, FOUR! Through the covers. Beautiful timing!
14.5: Siriwardana to Akmal, no run
14.4: Siriwardana, to Akmal, FOUR! Similar delivery, same shot, same direction, but one bounce into the fence.
14.3: Siriwardana to Akmal, SIX! Short, picks up well, and smacks it on the leg side!
14.2: Siriwardana to Akmal, 2 runs
14.1: Siriwardana to Malik, 3 runs
Siriwardana into the attack.
PAK 100/3
Over 14 (6 runs)
S Malik* 3* (4) | U Akmal 12* (18)
13.6: Herath to Malik, 1 run. 100 comes up for Pakistan.
13.5: Herath to Akmal, 1 run
13.4: Herath to Malik, 1 run
13.3: Herath to Akmal, 1 run
13.2: Herath to Malik, 1 run
13.1: Herath to Akmal, 1 run
Herath into the attack.
PAK 94/3
Over 12 (1 run, 1 wicket)
12.6: Siriwardana loops it in the air and Malik almost gets the outside edge, no run
12.5: OUT! And Sarfraz succumbs to the pressure of the three dot balls and his attempted sweep meets thin air. Siriwardana, the man with the golden arm, trapped him right in front
12.4: Akmal finally manages to pick up a single
12.3: No run
12.2: No run
12.1: Siriwardana keeps it tight, no run
PAK 93/2
Over 12 (12 runs)
S Ahmed 38* (26) | Umar Akmal 8* (11)
11.6: FOUR! Short and wide and that deserved the treatment! Sarfraz comfortably hits this over point’s head
11.5: Akmal stands talls but the ball keeps low and he adjusts to pick up a single through mid wicket
11.4: One run
11.3: FOUR! Beaut! Perera is fully and wide and Sarfraz uses the deft touch to hit through gully
11.2: Struck beautifully by Akmal through the covers, but just a single
11.1: Perera to Sarfraz, pulled for a single
PAK 81/2
Over 11 (11 runs)
S Ahmed 28* (22) | Umar Akmal 6* (9)
10.6: Sarfraz steals another single, almost a run out!
10.5: One run
10.4: Akmal picks off another single through mid on
10.3: One run, beaten by the change in pace there
10.2: FOUR! Another one! This one’s played ala Steve Smith to the deep long on boundary
10.1: FOUR! Sarfraz charges Herath and drives on the up through the covers. That was a shot of a confident man!
PAK 70/2
Over 10 (6 runs)
9.6: Sarfraz hits it through his favourite gully region again, one run
9.5: This ones hit through the covers, 2 runs
9.4: Sarfraz is beaten for pace, almost an edge, no run
9.3: Akmal drives powerfully but straight to the sweeper, one run
9.2: Sarfraz guides past point for another single
9.1: Akmal guides it to third man for a single, Chameera is pretty quick today
PAK 64/2
Over 9 (3 runs)
8.6: Loud appeal but he’s clearly hit it, no run
8.5: Akmal uses his feet to pick off another single towards mid on
8.4 No, great length and pin point accuracy
8.3 Sarfraz sweeps and manages to get bit of bat and the ball rolls behind the keeper, one run
8.2: Akmal taps it to mid on and picks up a single
8.1: Pakistan tormentor, Herath, keeps it tight, no run
PAK 61/2
Over 8 (3 runs, 1 wicket)
U Akmal* 1* (2) | S Ahmed 13* (11)
7.6: Dilshan to Akmal, 1 run
7.5: Dilshan to Sarfraz, 1 run
7.4: Dilshan to Sarfraz, no run
7.3: Dilshan to Sarfraz, no run
7.2: Dilshan to Akmal, 1 run
7.1: Dilshan to Sharjeel, OUT! Slower delivery and Sharjeel couldn’t read it. Kapugedera takes a clean catch. Departs on 31.
Dilshan into the attack.
PAK 58/1
Over 7 (8 runs)
S Khan* 31* (23) | S Ahmed 12* (8)
6.6: Herath to Sharjeel, 1 run
6.5: Herath to Sarfraz, 1 run
6.4: Herath to Sharjeel, 1 run
6.3: Herath to Sharjeel, FOUR! Picks up the length early and smacks it on the leg side.
6.2: Herath to Sarfraz, 1 run
6.1: Herath to Sarfraz, no run
Herath into the attack.
PAK 50/1
Over 6 (16 runs)
S Khan 25* (20) | S Ahmed* 10* (5)
5.6: Chameera to Sharjeel, FOUR! Hits it hard into the gap on the off side. Also brings up 50 for Pakistan!
5.5: Chameera to Sharjeel, FOUR! Smacks it again towards deep long on. Clears the in-field!
5.4: Chameera to Sharjeel, FOUR! Smacks it towards square leg. Misfield there, it should have been stopped.
5.3: Chameera to Sharjeel, FOUR! Lofts it over long on.
5.2: Chameera to Sharjeel, no run
5.1: Chameera to Sharjeel, no run
Chameera into the attack.
PAK 34/1
Over 5 (6 runs)
S Ahmed 10* (5) | S Khan* 9* (14)
4.6: Shanaka to Sarfraz, no run
4.5: Shanaka to Sharjeel, 1 run
4.4: Shanaka to Sharjeel, no run
4.3: Shanaka to Sharjeel, no run
4.2: Shanaka to Sarfraz, 1 run
4.1: Shanaka to Sarfraz, FOUR! On the up, with not much feet movement, hits it through covers.
Shanaka into the attack.
Hafeez is a much better player when he stays steady at the crease, he tried too much off the Jayasuriya delivery and found himself in no man’s land.
Ian Chappell’s famous words: ‘Stay still and let the bowler do the thinking’.
All this shuffling and dancing the down wicket is already giving the bowler half a chance. So why risk it?
PAK 28/1
Over 4 (13 runs, 1 wicket)
S Khan 8* (11) | S Ahmed* 5* (2)
3.6: Jayasuria to Sharjeel, no run
3.5: Jayasuria to Sarfraz, 1 run
3.4: Jayasuria to Sarfraz, FOUR! He cuts it on the off side and into the gap.
3.3: Jayasuria to Hafeez, OUT! Down the track and couldn’t hit it properly. Soft dismissal! He departs on 14.
3.2: Jayasuria to Hafeez, FOUR! Sweeps it on the leg side.
3.1: Jayasuria to Hafeez, FOUR! Smashes it past point.
Jayasuria into the attack.
PAK 15/0
Over 3 (1 run)
S Khan 8* (10) | M Hafeez* 6* (8)
2.6: Nuwan to Sharjeel, no run
2.5: Nuwan to Sharjeel, no run
2.4: Nuwan to Sharjeel, no run
2.3: Nuwan to Hafeez, 1 run
2.2: Nuwan to Hafeez, no run
2.1: Nuwan to Hafeez, no run
Nuwan continues.
PAK 14/0
Over 2 (12 runs)
S Khan 8* (7) | M Hafeez* 5* (5)
1.6: Perera to Sharjeel, SIX! Flicks it over square leg.
1.5: Perera to Hafeez, 1 run
1.4: Perera to Hafeez, no run
1.3: Perera to Hafeez, no run
1.2: Perera to Hafeez, no run
1.2: Perera to Hafeez, (wide)
1.1: Perera to Hafeez, FOUR! On the up through point.
Perera into the attack.
The Bangladesh fans in the stands clearly behind Pakistan in this dead rubber. All the talk of neutrality and anti-Pakistan sentiment is clearly misguided it seems.
PAK 2/0
Over 1 (2 runs)
S Khan 2* (6) | M Hafeez* 0* (0)
0.6: Nuwan to Sharjeel, no run
0.5: Nuwan to Sharjeel, no run
0.4: Nuwan to Sharjeel, no run
0.3: Nuwan to Sharjeel, no run
0.2: Nuwan to Sharjeel, 2 runs
0.1: Nuwan to Sharjeel, no run
Mohammad Hafeez and Sharjeel Khan are out on the crease to open Pakistan innings. For Sri Lanka, Nuwan Kulasekara takes the new ball.
Ever wonder how Vivian Richards would have fared in T20s?
Here’s the ‘King’ in an 18-over bout against Australia
Pakistan need 151 runs to win in 20 overs
This wasn’t the first time Irfan’s misjudged a catch
Here’s an instance when he managed to catch the ball after all
SL 150/4
Over 20 (9 runs)
M Siriwardana 4* (4) | T Dilshan* 75* (56)
19.6: Wahab to Siriwardana, 2 runs
19.5: Wahab to Dilshan, 1 run
19.4: Wahab to Siriwardana, 1 run
19.3: Wahab to Dilshan, 1 run
19.2: Wahab to Dilshan, FOUR! Towards point and into the gap.
19.1: Wahab to Dilshan, no run
Wahab comes in to bowl the last over of the innings.
SL 141/4
Over 19 (14 runs)
T Dilshan* 69* (52) | M Siriwardana 1* (2)
18.6: Amir to Dilshan, 1 run
18.5: Amir to Dilshan, 2 runs
18.4: Amir to Dilshan, DROPPED! Pakistan has been very sloppy on the field today.
18.4: Amir to Dilshan, (wide)
18.3: Amir to Dilshan, 2 runs
18.2: Amir to Dilshan, 2 runs
18.1: Amir to Dilshan, FOUR! Reverse Dilscoop! Brilliant!
Amir into his final over.
SL 127/4
Over 18 (2 runs, 2 wickets)
M Siriwardana 1* (2) | T Dilshan* 56* (46)
17.6: Irfan to Siriwardana, no run
17.5: Irfan to Dilshan, 1 run
17.4: Irfan to Milinda Siriwardana, 1 run
17.3: Irfan to Shanaka, OUT! Another one bites the dust! Bowled! Pakistan is turning around things in death overs.
17.2: Irfan to Shanaka, no run
17.1: Irfan to Kapugedera, OUT! Bowled him!
Irfan into the attack.
SL 125/2
Over 17 (8 runs)
CK Kapugedera* 2* (2) | T Dilshan 55* (45)
16.6: Amir to Kapugedera, 1 run
16.5: Amir to Dilshan, 1 run
16.4: Amir to Dilshan, FOUR! Nawaz is not having a good time on the field. Misfield!
16.3: Amir to Dilshan, no run
16.2: Amir to Kapugedera, 1 run
16.1: Amir to Dilshan, 1 run. The batsman completes his half century.
Amir into the attack.
SL 117/2
Over 16 (4 runs, 1 wicket)
T Dilshan* 49* (41)
15.6: Malik to Jayasuria, OUT! Sharjeel takes a clean and easy catch at long off. Jayasuria departs at four.
15.5: Malik to Jayasuria, no run
15.4: Malik to Dilshan, 1 run
15.3: Malik to Jayasuria, 1 run
15.2: Malik to Dilshan, 1 run
15.1: Malik to Jayasuria, 1 run
Shoaib Malik into the attack.
Pakistan have looked low on intensity today, with nothing to play for, Afridi’s men were expected to play without any fear but they have been quite lethargic.
Dilshan, who looked clueless at the start of the innings, is batting at a strike-rate of more than 170 and Pakistan will have to chase the highest score of this Asia Cup if Sri Lanka continue in this fashion.
SL 113/1
Over 15 (3 runs, 1 wicket)
T Dilshan 48* (39) | S Jayasuriya* 2* (2)
14.6: Wahab to Dilshan, no run
14.5: Wahab to Dilshan, no run
14.4: Wahab to Jayasuria, 1 run
14.3: Wahab to Dilshan, 1 run
14.2: Wahab to Shehan Jayasuria, 1 run
14.1: Wahab to Chandimal, OUT! Taken at mid-wicket, the batsman departs on 58. Very well played innings!
Wahab into the attack.
SL 110/0
Over 14 (13 runs)
T Dilshan 47* (36) | D Chandimal* 58* (48)
13.6: Nawaz to Dilshan, FOUR! Smacks it on the leg side and into the gap.
13.5: Nawaz to Dilshan, no run
13.4: Nawaz to Dilshan, no run
13.3: Nawaz to Dilshan, 2 runs
13.2: Nawaz to Chandimal, 1 run
13.1: Nawaz to Chandimal, SIX! Dances down the wicket and lofts it straight down the ground.
Nawaz returns.
SL 96/0
Over 13 (6 runs)
T Dilshan 41* (32) | D Chandimal* 50* (46)
12.6: Irfan to Dilshan, FOUR! Pulls it towards backward square. No stopping Dilshan!
12.5: Irfan to Chandimal, 1 run
12.4: Irfan to Chandimal, no run
12.3: Irfan to Chandimal, no run
12.2: Irfan to Dilshan, 1 run
12.1: Irfan to Chandimal, 1 run. The batsman reaches his half century here! Well played innings!
Irfan comes into the attack.
SL 90/0
Over 12 (9 runs)
D Chandimal* 49* (42) | T Dilshan 36* (30)
11.6: Afridi to Chandimal, 1 run
11.5: Afridi to Chandimal, 2 runs
11.4: Afridi to Chandimal, no run
11.3: Afridi to Dilshan, 1 run
11.2: Afridi to Chandimal, 1 run
11.1: Afridi to Chandimal, FOUR! Leggish and off the pads the ball races away towards the fine leg fence. Nothing is working out for Pakistan here.
Afridi comes in to bowl his final over.
There’s been a lot of talk about the exclusion of Imad Wasim from the squad. But he did not have such a great time in New Zealand but neither did the rest of the guys as Guptil, Williamson and co absolutely hammered them.
Wasim’s numbers in New Zealand:
26 runs and 12-92-1 in the three T20s. But before that series, Imad looked like he had cemented his place in the side with some consistent performances. The continuous rotation of the squad not bearing fruit for Pakistan.
SL 81/0
Over 11 (15 runs)
T Dilshan 35* (29) | D Chandimal* 45* (37)
10.6: Wahab to Dilshan, FOUR! Into the gap on the off side. Magnificent shot!
10.5: Wahab to Dilshan, 2 runs
10.4: Wahab to Chandimal, 1 run
10.3: Wahab to Chandimal, FOUR! Smacks it through covers and into the gap.
10.2: Wahab to Chandimal, FOUR! Top edge and the ball races away toward third man boundary.
10.1: Wahab to Chandimal, no run
Wahab continues.
SL 66/0
Over 10 (7 runs)
T Dilshan 29* (27) | D Chandimal* 36* (33)
9.6: Afridi to Dilshan, no run
9.5: Afridi to Chandimal, 1 run
9.4: Afridi to Chandimal, no run
9.3: Afridi to Dilshan, 1 run
9.2: Afridi to Chandimal, 1 run
9.1: Afridi to Chandimal, FOUR! Walks down the track and hits it towards long on.
Afridi continues.
SL 59/0
Over 9 (3 runs)
D Chandimal* 30* (29) | T Dilshan 28* (25)
8.6: Wahab to Chandimal, 1 run
8.5: Wahab to Chandimal, no run
8.4: Wahab to Chandimal, no run
8.3: Wahab to Chandimal, no run
8.2: Wahab to Chandimal, 2 runs
8.1: Wahab to Chandimal, no run
Wahab Riaz into the attack.
Pakistan will be hoping Nawaz finds his rhythm soon
This is why he’s been preferred to Imad Wasim in the playing eleven
SL 56/0
Over 8 (7 runs)
T Dilshan 28* (25) | D Chandimal* 27* (23)
7.6: Nawaz to Dilshan, no run
7.5: Nawaz to Dilshan, no run
7.4: Nawaz to Dilshan, no run
7.3: Nawaz to Chandimal, 1 run
7.2: Nawaz to Chandimal, FOUR! Magnificent cover drive!
7.1: Nawaz to Chandimal, 2 runs
Nawaz continues.
SL 48/0
Over 7 (4 runs)
T Dilshan* 29* (24) | D Chandimal 18* (18)
6.6: Afridi to Chandimal, 1 run
6.5: Afridi to Chandimal, no run
6.4: Afridi to Chandimal, 2 runs
6.3: Afridi to Dilshan, 1 run
6.2: Afridi to Chandimal, 1 run
6.1: Afridi to Chandimal, no run
Afridi continues.
SL 44/0
Over 6 (18 runs)
T Dilshan 27* (21) | D Chandimal* 16* (15)
5.6: Nawaz to Dilshan, FOUR! Sweeps it towards backward square. Dilshan is making it all look so easy!
5.5: Nawaz to Dilshan, no run
5.4: Nawaz to Dilshan, no run
5.3: Nawaz to Dilshan, FOUR! Smacks it straight down the ground!
5.2: Nawaz to Dilshan, SIX! Dances down the wickets and lofts it over long on.
5.1: Nawaz to Dilshan, FOUR! The batsman gets off the hook, uses his feet, and hits it towards long on.
Mohammad Nawaz introduced into the attack.
SL 26/0
Over 5 (7 runs)
D Chandimal 16* (15) | T Dilshan* 9* (15)
4.6: Afridi to Chandimal, no run
4.5: Afridi to Chandimal, FOUR! Unfortunate for the bowler, outside edge and the ball races away towards the third man fence.
4.4: Afridi to Dilshan, 1 run, sweeps and that was up in the air, but Mohammad Irfan couldn’t get himself into the position to catch it. DROPPED!
4.3: Afridi to Dilshan, no run
4.2: Afridi to Chandimal, 1 run
4.1: Afridi to Dilshan, 1 run
Shahid Afridi into the attack.
SL 19/0
Over 4 (6 runs)
D Chandimal 11* (12) | T Dilshan* 7* (12)
3.6: Irfan to Chandimal, FOUR! Smacks it through covers! Powerful strike!
3.5: Irfan to Chandimal, no run
3.4: Irfan to Dilshan, 1 run
3.3: Irfan to Chandimal, 1 run
3.2: Irfan to Chandimal, no run
3.1: Irfan to Chandimal, no run
Irfan continues.
Dilshan’s last ten T20 innings:
18, 12, 27, 1, 0, 28, 0, 52, 56, 10
Not as consistent as he once used to be, Sri Lanka though have persisted with their aging warrior and he could just fire at the World T20
SL 13/0
Over 3 (4 runs)
T Dilshan 6* (11) | D Chandimal* 6* (7)
2.6: Amir to Dilshan, no run
2.5: Amir to Dilshan, no run
2.4: Amir to Dilshan, FOUR! Lifted it from the off stump and smacked into the gap on the leg side.
2.3: Amir to Dilshan, no run
2.2: Amir to Dilshan, no run
2.1: Amir to Dilshan, no run
Amir continues.
As Amir’s stock continues to rise, Inzamam calls for Asif and Butt’s inclusion
Read here
What do the fans think?
SL 9/0
Over 2 (3 runs)
T Dilshan* 2* (5) | D Chandimal 6* (7)
1.6: Irfan to Dilshan, 1 run
1.5: Irfan to Dilshan, no run
1.4: Irfan to Dilshan, no run
1.3: Irfan to Dilshan, no run
1.2: Irfan to Chandimal, 1 run
1.1: Irfan to Dilshan, 1 run
Mohammad Irfan from the other end.
SL 6/0
Over 1 (6 runs)
T Dilshan 4* (2) | D Chandimal* 0* (4)
0.6: Amir to Chandimal, FOUR! Punched it through covers! Brilliantly done!
0.5: Amir to Dilshan, 1 run
0.4: Amir to Chandimal 1 run
0.3: Amir to Chandimal, no run
0.2: Amir to Chandimal, no run
0.1: Amir to Chandimal, no run
Dinesh Chandimal and Tillakaratne Dilshan to open innings for Sri Lanka. Mohammad Amir takes the new ball for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s star man, Shahid Afridi, has come under heavy fire from all corners for Pakistan’s flop at the Asia Cup.
Twitter was a battleground for pro and anti-Afridi sentiments, but largely the Pakistan captain attracted a barrage of criticism:
As the start of the tournament Misbah said:
“After this bowling performance [against India] I think the pressure on our batsmen will be less. The batsmen need to understand that the pitches in the Asia Cup are different from the Pakistan Super League and even if they score 130 or 140 their bowlers can defend it.”
Misbah’s assessment have thus far been totally off the mark.
Pakistan’s bowling might has done nothing to instill confidence in the batsman, who have appeared completely clueless on the tricky Mirpur tracks.
They will need to do set themselves a much higher target when the face off against Australia and New Zealand among other teams at the World T20.
The big development of the day
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali to ‘send a team to India’ to assess measures adopted for Pakistan cricketers’ security for the World T20.
A decision on Pakistan’s participation in the World T20, being hosted by India from March 8 to April 3, hinges on a clearance report by the security team.
A final decision on whether Pakistan’s cricket team will fly to India will be made after a report is submitted by the ‘security team’, said a statement issued by the PM’s office.
In a meeting with Nisar at the Prime Minister House, Nawaz directed to ensure “fool proof security measures for the team in coordination with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi”.
The development came after the chief minister of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, Virbhadra Singh, called for the India-Pakistan World T20 tie to be moved to another venue ‘out of respect for those killed in the assault by militants on an Indian air force base in Pathankot’.
Here are the two squads:
Pakistan
Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Iftikhar Ahmed, Sarfraz Ahmed†, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi*, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Nawaz (3)
Sri Lanka
LD Chandimal*, TM Dilshan, DSNFG Jayasuriya, N Dickwella†, CK Kapugedera, TAM Siriwardana, MD Shanaka, NLTC Perera, KMDN Kulasekara, HMRKB Herath, PVD Chameera
Shahid Afridi has won the toss and Pakistan will be fielding first. Khurram Manzoor, Mohammad Sami and Anwar Ali are out and in come Mohammad Nawaz, Wahab Riaz and Iftkhar Ahmed.
For Sri Lanka, Dinesh Chandimal will be standing in for the injured Angelo Mathews.



