HAMBANTOTA : Pakistan failed again to make a sufficient score despite Shahid Afridi’s brilliant unbeaten half-century against Sri Lanka in the second Twenty20 International here at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Winning the toss, captain Mohammad Hafeez decided to bat first but his batsmen could not succeed to reach a respectable total and were restricted to 122 for six in the allotted 20 overs.
Allrounder Shahid Afridi remained not out on 52, made off 33 balls with the help of five fours and a six.
He and Shoaib Malik (27) added 68 runs –Pakistan’s highest fifth wicket partnership against Sri Lanka in this format of cricket.
Hafeez also scored a useful 24 whereas other batsmen could not make any significant contribution.
For Sri Lanka, paceman Nuwan Kulasekara and leg-spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi claimed two wickets each for 13 and 31, respectively.
Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene is not playing today and his deputy Angelo Mathews is leading the side.
Fast bowler Lasith Malinga has also been rested Thus, Chamara Kapudegedara and Isuru Udana replaced them
Pakistan made one change, replacing Umar Gul with Yasir Arafat.
Sri Lanka lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first game by 37 runs on Friday.
