Tillakaratne Dilshan and Thisara Perera star as Sri Lanka outclass Pakistan – Cricket News Update
Sri Lanka, on Saturday, drew level with Pakistan after thumping the Green Shirts by 76 runs in the second One-Day International of the five-match series, played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Batting first, the hosts posted a daunting total of 280 runs for the loss of four wickets. Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sri Lanka’s opening batsman, announced his return to form as the right-handed basher played an unbeaten knock 119
runs – which included 11 fours and one six. Skipper, Mahela Jayawardene, chipped in with 53.
Later during the second innings, Thisara Perera and co. restricted the Pakistanis to 204. Perera, who had contributed 24 runs with the bat, showed his ability with the ball and grabbed six wickets for 44 runs, while Malinga and
Kulasekara took two wickets apiece.
There were two contenders for the Man of the Match award, Dilshan and Perera, however, it was the latter who picked the award for his all-round performance.
Receiving the award, Perera said, “I enjoyed bowling on the wicket. It was a 50-50 wicket, it helped the bowlers and batsmen. I needed to bowl in the right areas. I played my natural game, wanted to hit the ball hard. Now it's
1-1, and we have to carry this performance forward.”
Pakistan had a good start to their innings with openers Azhar Ali and Mohammad Hafeez belting 48 runs for the first wicket. Ali (96) looked to imitate Dilshan’s knock but the youngster did not receive any support from other end.
The Green Shirts were neck-to-neck with the Lankans till their skipper, Misbah-ul-Haq departed, after which batsmen found their back to the pavilion one after the other. The Lankans started the victory dance when Shahid Afridi
got out in 38th over.
Misbah felt dejected after the loss; however, he admitted that his side was outclassed by Lankans.
He said, “The target was gettable. Me and Umar Akmal got out at the wrong time. Dilshan played really well. We have to work hard in the bowling and fielding department. We were outplayed in all the three departments.”