Sri Lanka recorded their maiden victory over Pakistan in Twenty-20 cricket by winnings the first match of the two-match series by 37 runs at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota on Friday night (June 1).
Sri Lanka’s first win against Pakistan at home came in the second match. They lost the first match by 52 runs at Colombo on August 12.2009.
Pakistan recorded their lowest total against Sri Lanka in Twenty-20 cricket by making 95 in 17.4 overs. Their previous lowest was 131 for nine in 20 overs at Lord’s on June 12,2009. It was also Pakistan’s second lowest total in Twenty-20 cricket after 89 in 18.4 overs against England at Cardiff on September 7,2010.
Umar Gul, the second highest wicket-taker in Twenty-20 cricket after Shahid Afridi, conceded 43 runs in Sri Lankan inning. It was third time when Umar Gul gave 43 or more runs in an innings in a Twenty-20 match.
Lasith Malings equalled Ajantha Mendis’ Sri Lankan record of most wickets in Twenty-20 cricket by taking two wickets in this match. He took 40 wickets at 19.67 in 32 matches while Ajantha Mendis claimed the same number of wickets in 21 matchest at 11.12.
Mohammed Hafeez became the sixth player after Shahid Afridi (19 matches), Shoaib Malik (17 matches), Misbah-ul-Haq (eight matches), Younis Khan (eight matches) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (one match) to lead Pakistan in Twenty-20 cricket. The right hand batsman and off brak bowler led first time after playing 29 Twenty-20 matches. Thisara Perera received his maiden man of the match award in 11 Twenty-20 matches.
MOST WICKETS IN TWENTY-20 CRICKET:
Bowler M Overs Runs W AVG R/O 4WI Best
S Afridi 49 182.5 1124 56 20.07 6.14 3 4-11
U Gul 40 136.4 906 55 16.47 6.62 4 5-6
S Ajmal 38 138 857 53 16.16 6.21 3 4-19
A Mendis 21 79 445 40 11.12 5.63 3 6-16
G Swann 30 103 659 40 16.47 6.39 – 3-13
L Malinga 32 108.3 787 40 19.67 7.25 – 3-12
S Broad 34 120.3 876 40 21.90 7.26 18.0 3-17
