Anwar, Afridi heroics give Pakistan surprise win over SL

COLOMBO: Great fight-back, exhibited by captain Shahid Afridi and all-rounder Anwar Ali, helped Pakistan achieve an almost impossible target of 173 runs against Sri Lanka in the second and the last Twenty20 here at Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.

Pakistan crossed the line scoring 174 for 9 with only four balls to spare, winning by 1 wicket.

With this victory, Pakistan has also completed a hat-trick of series wins, beating the Islanders 3-2 in ODIs, 2-1 in Tests and 2-0 in T20s.

Afridi took charge of the Pakistan's response after the top five batsmen failed to deliver. Pakistani top order could not repeat Thursday's performance and kept losing wickets in their reply to Sri Lanka's 172 for 7.

Afridi scored 45 off just 22 balls with 1 four and 4 sixes before getting out in the 15th over.

Later, Anwar Ali showed what he is really capable of achieving scoring 46 off only 17 balls with 3 fours and 4 towering sixes.

He was given the "man of the match" award for his extraordinary performance in the last match of the historic tour.

Shoaib Malik, who performed consistently throughout the series, bagged "man of the series" award.

Ali later got out in the 19th over, leaving Pakistan need another 8 runs in as many balls with the last two wickets remaining.

Sohail Tanvir then ran himself out trying to covert a single into an impossible two on the last ball of the penultimate over.

Pakistan needed 6 in the last over with only 1 wicket remaining when Imad Wasim proved his selection right by hitting the all important six to give Pakistan a historic win.

Earlier, Chamara Kapugedera and debutant Shehan Jayasuriya helped Sri Lanka reach 172 for 7 after they opted to bat on winning the toss.

Young Jayasuriya lived up to the reputation associated with his name and scored 40 off 32 balls while experienced Kapugedera remained not out on 48 off just 25 balls with two fours and 4 huge sixes.

Shoaib Malik bowled brilliantly for Pakistan, taking 2 wickets for only 16 runs in 3 overs. Anwar Ali, Sohail Tanvir, Ifran and Afridi shared one wicket each.

Pakistan had won the first encounter by 29 runs on Thursday.

Vice-captain Sarfraz Ahmed was not selected in today's playing 11 after getting dropped in Thursday's game as well.

Speaking at the toss, Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said, "he [Sarfraz] is my vice-captain and always a part of the squad".

"We'll give him a chance in the upcoming series in Zimbabwe," he added.