Afridi first to play 50 T20 matches

Pakistan level the two-Twenty-20 match series 1-1 by winning the second match by 23 runs at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota on Sunday night (June 3). Sri Lanka defeated visitors by 37 runs in the first match of the series at the same ground on Friday night (June 1). Pakistan’s flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi celebrated his 50th appearance in Twenty-20 internationals with a half century. The hard hitting batsman scored an unbeaten 52 off 33 balls with five fours and one six.
Shahid Afridi became the first player ever to appear in 50 Twenty-20 matches. The former Pakistani skipper who made his debut against England at Bristol on August 28,2006, took five years and 280 days to reach this landmark. Yasir Arafat recorded his best bowling performance in Twenty-20 cricket by taking three for 18 in 3.2 overs. His previous best was three for 32 against England at Dubai on February 20,2010.
Pakistan’s 23-run victory was first under Mohammed Hafeez in two Twenty-20 matches. He lost the first one. Angelo Mathews became the fifth player after Mahela Jayawardene (12 matches), Tillakaratne Dilshan (five matches), Kumara Sangakkara (21 matches) and Thilina Kandamby (one match) to lead Sri Lanka in Twenty-20 cricket. The right hand batsman and right arm fast medium bowler lead Sri Lanka first time after playing 26 matches. Shahid Afridi also set a new record of most man of the match awards in Twenty-20 cricket by winning the seventh such award in 50th match. Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya and England’s Kevin Pietersen shared the previous record with six man of the match awards each. Sohail Tanvir received his maiden man of the series award in Twenty-20 cricket.