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What a match…..!!!, brushing aside the explosive doping issue Younis & his men seal a sensational victory over Sri Lanka in the 3rd match being played at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.
Sri Lanka winning the toss started off to a brisk start with Jayasurya 48 in 35 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes alongwith Tharanga,
They were comfortably placed at 108/2 in 17 overs an were heading towards a score of 280 plus, but soon after his departure,
Jayawardene and Sangakkara did not last long scoring 31 and 39 respectively.
Pakistani bowlers in the absence of Shoaib & Asif (called back by PCB) looked demoralized until part timer Abdul Razzak came with a fine spell capturing 4 wickets thus denting Sri Lankan hopes of a big score, captain Jayawardene later admitted that they
Did’nt batted well enough towards the end.
Chasing 253 Pakistan began aggressively with the stylish left-hander Imran Farhat who played excellent shots on the off side to
The delight of a capacity crowd, he laid a platform and was unfortunate to be out for a timely 53, Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi
Followed, it was left to Mohammed Yousef and Shoaib Malik who build up 70 odd partnership at a crucial stage against the likes
Of Chaminda Vaas, Fernando, Maharoof and the dangerous looking Muralitharan.
After the suicidal run out of Mohamed Yousef for 49, the responsibility enhanced on the shoulders of Malik, but thanks to his
Remarkable determination, he never looked under pressure as he hit a soaring six off Murli at that stage of the game.
The Sri Lankans were outstanding on the field, but were unlucky to drop some vital catches which cost them the game.
In the climax it was Abdul Razzak again who smashed 38 not out in just 24 balls hitting two huge sixes after being dropped early on to win the game for Pakistan, he was named Man of the match for his all round performance.
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Javed Ali, SQUARE CUT, YaHind Sports