KARACHI: You shouldn’t read too much into the outcome of a practice game but Pakistan’s 15-run win in their only World Twenty20 warm-up against Sri Lanka in Kolkata on Monday must have come as a respite for Shahid Afridi and Co.
Pakistan face in-form Bangladesh in their World Twenty20 opener at Eden Gardens on Wednesday (tomorrow) and needed little bit of a more-booster before the game.
That came against Sri Lanka in the form of an unbeaten 49-ball 70 at the top of the order from Mohammad Hafeez and a four-wicket haul by spinner Imad Wasim.
New addition Ahmed Shehzad’s 18 off 19 balls was the lightest and slowest contribution from Pakistan’s top three, but it was nevertheless part of a steady foundation.
Sri Lanka’s emergency no. 3, Lahiru Thirimanne, took another step towards justifying his own late selection. He made a measured 45 from 37 balls, having also top-scored for Sri Lanka in the first warm-up game, against New Zealand. Thirimanne was typically strong against spin in Kolkata, bludgeoning a six over cow corner and hitting two more fours in the seventh over bowled by Shahid Afridi. Early signs are that Sri Lanka will look to Thirimanne to alleviate the problems against slow bowling that had plagued them during the Asia Cup.
Worries over Tillakaratne Dilshan’s batting were not eased by a first-ball duck, as he gloved a very fine short ball from Mohammad Irfan to the wicketkeeper. Dinesh Chandimal played good hand, which featured a rousing 18-run over against Wahab Riaz, but wickets tumbled after his departure. Angelo Mathews’ stretch without a substantial score will also heighten concerns. He was part of a middle order that gave up five wickets for 27 runs, and effectively surrendered the game.
Imad Wasim was wrecker-in-chief through that period, claiming 4 for 25. Having already accounted for Chandimal, he had Chamara Kapugedara and Thirimanne caught, before slipping a quicker ball through Mathews’ defences to end his spell.
In Pakistan’s innings, Hafeez had begun confidently against spin, as Rangana Herath was brought on to bowl just after the Powerplay. Though initially tentative against the pace of Dushmantha Chameera, he was eventually cracking boundaries off the quick men as well. Hafeez hit nine fours and a six in his innings.
Pakistan effectively played with only 11 players, but Sri Lanka continued to experiment, trialling eight bowlers in this match. At present they appear to have a serviceable attack for the Powerplay and middle overs, but are missing the skill of Lasith Malinga at the death. Pakistan hit 51 runs off the four final overs of their innings. Malinga has arrived in India now, but remains in doubt for the first match against Afghanistan, on Thursday.
Shehzad hit a four off Nuwan Kulasekara’s first over, and another off Sachithra Senanayake, but otherwise struggled to pierce the infield. He chopped a short-of-a-length Chameera ball onto his stumps in the eighth over, but Hafeez had some support from Sarfraz Ahmed and Umar Akmal, who made 13 and 19 respectively. Mohammad Amir was miserly rather than menacing with the ball, sending down four overs for just 20 runs. Irfan was even cheaper, and took two scalps on a track that had a little bounce.
The match was played to substantial local interest. Thousands had bought tickets to the game despite it being on a Monday afternoon, and Pakistan were not without significant support. There were also signs of tight security - each of Eden Gardens’ gates swarmed with Kolkata policemen, and military personnel and vehicles were also seen in abundance.
After meeting Bangladesh, Pakistan will take on hosts India in a mouth-watering clash on March 19 at Eden Gardens.
Score Board
Pakistan won toss
Pakistan
Sharjeel Khan b Senanayake 23
Ahmed Shehzad b Chameera 18
M Hafeez not out 70
†Sarfraz Ahmed st Chandimal b Herath 13
Umar Akmal c Kapugedera b Perera 19
*Shahid Afridi c Senanayake b Perera 0
Imad Wasim not out 2
Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 8, nb 1) 12
Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 157
Did not bat: M Irfan, Anwar Ali, Khalid Latif, M Amir, M Nawaz (3), Shoaib Malik, M Sami, Wahab Riaz
Fall: 1-39, 2-47, 3-86, 4-139, 5-146
Bowling: Mathews 2-0-9-0; Kulasekara 4-0-30-0; Senanayake 3-0-27-1; Herath 4-0-24-1; Chameera 4-0-33-1 (1nb, 4w); Siriwardana 1-0-10-0; Perera 2-0-21-2 (3w)
Sri Lanka
†L D Chandimal c Hafeez b Imad 30
T M Dilshan c Sarfraz b Irfan 0
H D R L Thirimanne c Shahid b Imad 45
C K Kapugedera c Umar b Imad 14
*A D Mathews b Imad 10
T A M Siriwardana run out 2
N L T C Perera b Irfan 5
K M D N Kulasekara run out 7
S M S M Senanayake lbw b Wahab 10
M D Shanaka not out 13
P V D Chameera not out 0
Extras (lb 4, w 2) 6
Total (9 wickets; 20 overs) 142
Did not bat: D S N F G Jayasuriya, H M R K B Herath, R A S Lakmal, S L Malinga
Fall: 1-2, 2-39, 3-76, 4-93, 5-101, 6-109, 7-110, 8-120, 9-142
Bowling: Amir 4-0-20-0; Irfan 4-0-18-2; Wahab 4-0-35-1; Imad 4-0-25-4 (1w); Shahid 4-0-40-0 (1w)
Result: Pakistan won by 15 runs
Umpires: B N J Oxenford (Australia) and P R Reiffel (Australia). Match referee: B C Broad (England). Reserve umpire: R A Kettleborough (England)