First Match Summary of Asia Cup 2014, Sri Lanka and Pakistan
Speedster Lasith Malinga's last three over five-for, followed by opener Lahiru Thirimanne's century, spurred the islanders to a 12-run win over the defending champions in the opening match of the tournament at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah.Pakistan, chasing 297 for victory, were all out for 284 in the second last over of the day-night match.Electing to bat first, Sri Lanka were 204 for two at one point. But, Pakistan bowlers slowed the pace down by striking four in the space of nine overs.However, an unbeaten 45-run partnership between Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal for the seventh wicket led them to a challenging total of 296.Thirimanne's 161-run stand, off 146 balls, with Kumar Sangakkara (67) for the second wicket was the centrepiece of the Lankan total while Mathews stayed unbeaten on 55.Thirimanne's 102 came from 110 deliveries with the help of eight boundaries.Legspinner Shahid Afridi and seamer Umar Gul claimed two wickets each for Pakistan.In reply, Pakistan were on course for a remarkable victory before Malinga came up with the fiery spell.Malinga first sent back big hitter Shahid Afridi for four and well-settled skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (73) in a span of three deliveries in his eighth over before returning back to dismiss Saeed Ajmal for ten and Bilawal Bhatti for 18 in his final over to finish with figures of 5 for 52.Earlier, Suranga Lakmal delivered the breakthrough for Sri Lanka by having Umar Akmal caught behind for 74 to end a threatening fifth wicket 121-run stand with captain Misbah-ul-Haq.Pakistan lost the plot after that and could not recover from the jolt as they lost the last five wickets for just 43 runs....
Speedster Lasith Malinga's last three over five-for, followed by opener Lahiru Thirimanne's century, spurred the islanders to a 12-run win over the defending champions in the opening match of the tournament at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah.Pakistan, chasing 297 for victory, were all out for 284 in the second last over of the day-night match.Electing to bat first, Sri Lanka were 204 for two at one point. But, Pakistan bowlers slowed the pace down by striking four in the space of nine overs.However, an unbeaten 45-run partnership between Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal for the seventh wicket led them to a challenging total of 296.Thirimanne's 161-run stand, off 146 balls, with Kumar Sangakkara (67) for the second wicket was the centrepiece of the Lankan total while Mathews stayed unbeaten on 55.Thirimanne's 102 came from 110 deliveries with the help of eight boundaries.Legspinner Shahid Afridi and seamer Umar Gul claimed two wickets each for Pakistan.In reply, Pakistan were on course for a remarkable victory before Malinga came up with the fiery spell.Malinga first sent back big hitter Shahid Afridi for four and well-settled skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (73) in a span of three deliveries in his eighth over before returning back to dismiss Saeed Ajmal for ten and Bilawal Bhatti for 18 in his final over to finish with figures of 5 for 52.Earlier, Suranga Lakmal delivered the breakthrough for Sri Lanka by having Umar Akmal caught behind for 74 to end a threatening fifth wicket 121-run stand with captain Misbah-ul-Haq.Pakistan lost the plot after that and could not recover from the jolt as they lost the last five wickets for just 43 runs....