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Tag: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan

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How Kusal Mendis walloped Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf and why he went for a six on 94 against Pakistan

Whenever Kusal Mendis reaches the vicinity of a hundred, the idea of a six enters his mind. His childhood coach Jayanith Aponso, who died a few years ago, once explained the reason: “He happened to watch Aravinda reach the milestone with a six and since then, he always tries to hit a six to his hundred.” The trait has irritated his coaches and teammates over the years. “I used to tell him to take a single, and get to the hundred and then hit sixes,” the coach had then said. But Mendis would not listen. It was the only advice he did not heed to, at the Moratuwa Sports Academy on the suburbs of Colombo where he honed his skills. His second highest Test score is 196; the third highest 194. Both times he perished slogging to the midwicket fence, and both times against Bangladesh. “I would t...
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ICC World Cup, Sri Lanka vs Pakistan | Match report, October 10, 2023

Sri Lankan team members stands for their national anthem before the start of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match between between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Hyderabad, India on October 10, 2023. | Photo Credit: AP Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat in the Cricket World Cup match against Pakistan at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Tuesday. Pakistan had an easy opening match and won against the Netherlands by 81 runs while Sri Lanka faced defeat by 102 runs in their campaign opener against South Africa.Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka said at the toss that the team has made one change. "We will bat first, there was some assistance for the bowlers in the second half in the previous game. We have one change — Theekshana comes in for Kasun Rajitha. It is about execution...
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Irfan Pathan takes a hilarious dig at Pakistan, says Asia Cup final won’t be a one-sided affair | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Irfan Pathan often comes up with humourous posts on the social media while taking digs at Pakistan and the former India pacer once again shows his wittiest side to take the jibe against the arch-rivals without naming them.Pathan expressed his happiness on India facing Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final saying the match will not be a one sided affair and apparently terming Pakistan as a weak team.Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Pathan wrote "Playing finals against Sri Lanka will be better for team India as it won't be a one sided affair."Sri Lanka entered the continental tournament final by eking out a two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the last-ball thriller in the Super Four match on Thursday.India mauled Pakistan in the Super Four match by a massive 228-run margin in the rain-...
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‘Just told Pathirana to run hard…’: Charith Asalanka on last-ball heist against Pakistan | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Allrounder Charith Asalanka played a sensational knock of unbeaten 49 against Pakistan to take Sri Lanka into the final of the Asia Cup 2023 on Thursday. Sri Lanka were in a spot of bother when they lost their 8th wicket in the final over as they still needed six off the last two balls. Asalanka then hit a four and ran a two off debutant pacer Zaman Khan to register a thrilling two-wicket win as Sri Lanka chased down a DLS target of 252 in the last delivery."I just thought how can I get two to hit a gap and run hard because it is a big field and just told Pathirana to run hard," Asalanka said after the match.The 26-year-old Asalanka described his sensational 47-ball 49 not out as the second best knock of his career. "I thought either he will bowl a bouncer or a yorker and the...
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Asia Cup 2023: Sri Lanka and Pakistan vie for spot in the summit clash

High-stakes encounter: A lot rides on Babar Azam against Sri Lanka in a virtual knock-out game.  | Photo Credit: AFP    After contrasting defeats against India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan will meet in a virtual semifinal in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup at the R. Premadasa Stadium here on Thursday. While Pakistan was outplayed by Rohit Sharma’s men in a rain-marred two-day contest, Sri Lanka gave India a scare by bundling it out for 213 before its batting unravelled in a 41-run defeat. A record 228-run defeat against India means that Pakistan is at the mercy of the weather. It needs to win at all costs as a washout will put Sri Lanka, which has a superior Net Run Rate, in the final. While the skies were overcast, the rains steered clear of Colombo on the eve of the match. On the fiel...
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Asia Cup: PoK-born pacer Zaman Khan set to make ODI debut for Pakistan | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Zaman Khan, a talented fast bowler hailing from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, is on the brink of making his ODI debut in a crucial Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Thursday.Zaman's journey to this point is nothing short of inspiring, characterised by a classic rags-to-riches narrative. Born into a modest family in Mirpur, PoK, he initially began his cricketing career with the Rawalakot Hawks in the Kashmir League. Over time, Zaman's skills caught the eye of scouts, and he went on to participate in T20 leagues not only in Canada but also in Sri Lanka.Remarkably, Zaman hasn't had the opportunity to feature in any first-class cricket matches yet. However, he has already represented Pakistan in six T20 Internationals, facing off against teams like Afghanistan and New Z...
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2nd Test: Noman bags 7 as Pakistan crush Sri Lanka to sweep series 2-0 | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Noman Ali's exceptional performance with the ball led Pakistan to a resounding victory over Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs in the second Test, sealing a 2-0 series sweep on Thursday.The left-arm spinner was in top form, claiming the first seven wickets, while fast bowler Naseem Shah took the final three, causing Sri Lanka's batting line-up to collapse for 188 runs in the evening session in Colombo.Noman showcased his brilliance in his 15th Test, achieving career-best figures of 7-70, contributing significantly to Sri Lanka's heaviest Test defeat at home.In the first innings, Pakistan had dominated the game, piling up an imposing total of 576-5, and they declared their innings after just two overs in the morning session, holding a commanding lead of 410 runs over Sri Lan...
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Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Test 2 of 2, Day 4 | Pakistan declares on 576 for five with 410-run lead over Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne plays a shot during the fourth day of the second cricket test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka on July 27, 2023. | Photo Credit: AP Pakistan is eyeing a 2-0 sweep against Sri Lanka as the visitors declared on 576 for five with a first-innings lead of 410 runs on day four of the second cricket Test on July 27.Pakistan, which resumed with its overnight score of 563 for five, only batted for 10 minutes in the morning session before skipper Babar Azam called back his players.The brief period in the morning enabled Mohammad Rizwan to complete his half-century. It was Pakistan wicketkeeper’s eighth 50 in Test matches after replacing Sarfaraz Ahmed as concussion substitute.Pakistan’s total was boosted by a career-best scores from Agha ...
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Watch: Hasan Ali delights Pakistan dressing room with his act on water filled covers | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Rain might have played a spoilsport on the second day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Colombo but the visiting team pacer Hasan Ali decided to make the most of it and keep the energy level high of his team.Ali was caught on camera enjoying rain and can be seen lying down on the covers full of rainwater. Ali's teammates from the dressing room were also seen enjoying his antics to the fullest.The Pakistan Cricket Board took to Twitter to share the video of the whole incident that went viral in no time."Making the most of the rain delay in Colombo, with @RealHa55an leading the charge," PCB tweeted.The tourists were 178-2 after resuming under gloomy skies on 145-2 with Abdullah Shafique, on 87, and skipper Babar Azam, on 28, batting in a stand of 57.Only 43 m...
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‘Is PakBall becoming a bit of a thing’: Shoaib Akhtar coins new term | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: England cricket team's 'Bazball' approach in Test cricket earned a lot of plaudits as it produced good results for them before Ashes.The term was coined after former New Zealand wicket keeper Brendon McCullum took over as the head coach of the England Test team. Bazball denotes an aggressive and fearless brand of cricket.Now, Pakistan seemed to have taken a cue from England and followed the same approach against Sri Lanka in the current Test series.Pakistan's aggressive style of play impressed the former pacer Shoaib Akhtar who coined the term 'PakBall' after his team's dominating performance against Sri Lanka."Is #PakBall becoming a bit of a thing?," Akhtar tweeted on Monday.After bundling out Sri Lanka for 166, Pakistan took control on the first day of the second Test and a...
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Abdullah Shafique and Abrar Ahmed put Pakistan on top in 2nd Test vs Sri Lanka

Pakistan’s new aggressive approach paid rich dividends as it bowled out Sri Lanka for 166 before racing to 145 for 2 in reply on Day 1 of the second Test on Monday. Pakistan, 1-0 up in the two-match series, is in complete control despite losing the toss and having to field first at the Sinhalese Sports Club. At a stage, the tourists were scoring at 6.5 runs an over, with the 50 coming up in 50 balls and the 100 arriving in 101 deliveries. Abdullah Shafique needed only 49 deliveries to reach his fifth half-century in Tests, while Shan Masood raced to his seventh half-century in just 44 balls. Asitha Fernando claimed the first Pakistan wicket to fall, removing Imam-ul-Haq for six, before coming back for a second spell and having Masood caught at wide mid-on for 51. Shafique, who was dropp...
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Sri Lanka 0/0 in 0.0 Overs | Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2nd Test Live Score – The Times of India

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Nishan Madushka, Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama (WK), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dilshan Madushanka (In for Vishwa Fernando), Asitha Fernando (In for Kasun Rajitha).!(function(f, b, e, v, n, t, s) { function loadFBEvents(isFBCampaignActive) { if (!isFBCampaignActive) { return; } (function(f, b, e, v, n, t, s) { if (f.fbq) return; n = f.fbq = function() { n.callMethod ? n.callMethod(...arguments) : n.queue.push(arguments); }; if (!f._fbq) f._fbq = n; n.push = n; n.loaded = !0; n.version = '2.0'; n.queue = []; t = b.createElement(e); t.async = !0; ...
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Sri Lanka to push ‘harder’ in second Test against Pakistan | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: With the second Test set to commence in Colombo on Monday, Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood exudes confidence in his team's determination to bounce back and level the two-match series against Pakistan.Pakistan had arrived in Sri Lanka without a Test victory in the past 12 months. However, their recent four-wicket triumph in Galle, albeit a nervy final-innings chase, has put them in a favorable position. The visitors now require only a draw in the upcoming Test to clinch the two-match series."The motivation is there -- the players know how important it is to be picking up Test points, and how important it is to win at home," Silverwood told reporters on Sunday."Listening to the chat in the dressing room... they are going to come out fighting and push much harder."In their last...
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Sri Lanka: 2nd Test: Pakistan look to seal series against Sri Lanka after year-long drought | Cricket News – Times of India

Pakistan celebrated a long-awaited triumph as they secured their first Test victory in 12 months against Sri Lanka in the opening match of the series in Galle. Their newfound batting aggression proved to be the key to success, setting them up for the second Test starting on Monday at the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo.In a determined effort to change their fortunes, Pakistan's batsmen adopted a more positive and aggressive approach, reminiscent of England's "Bazball" style. The strategy paid off brilliantly as they scored at a brisk rate of over 4.5 runs per over for a major part of their first innings, putting the Sri Lankan bowlers under immense pressure.Leading the charge was Saud Shakeel, who blazed a stunning double century, reaching the milestone in just 129 balls. His ou...
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1st Test: Imam-ul-Haq anchors nervy chase as Pakistan win Galle Test by four wickets | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Opener Imam-ul-Haq displayed a brilliant batting performance to anchor Pakistan's chase and secure a thrilling four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a nerve-wracking opening Test in Galle on Thursday.Facing a target of 131 runs for victory, Pakistan found themselves in trouble at 79-4 after skipper Babar Azam's dismissal to the left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who proved formidable with figures of 4-56 in the second innings.However, Imam-ul-Haq formed a crucial partnership with Saud Shakeel to stabilize the innings. Despite the odds stacked against them, Sri Lanka refused to back down, even with a limited total to defend. Saud Shakeel, who had already impressed with a career-best 208 not out in the first innings, contributed 30 runs before departing, and Sarfaraz Ahmed (o...
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1st Test: Pakistan lose three wickets in 131-run chase against Sri Lanka | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The chase of 131 runs proved to be challenging as Pakistan lost three wickets on day four of the rain-affected opening Test against Sri Lanka. The spin duo of Noman Ali and Abrar Ahmed played a crucial role in bundling out the hosts for 279.At the end of the day's play in Galle, Pakistan reached 48-3, requiring a further 83 runs to secure the lead in the two-match series. Imam-ul-Haq, standing strong on 25, and captain Babar Azam, yet to make an impact at six, were holding the crease.The left-arm spinner, Prabath Jayasuriya, made a significant impact by dismissing two Pakistani batsmen. Abdullah Shafique fell prey to a catch behind the wickets after contributing eight runs, while Shan Masood was dismissed for seven.Noman was sent in as nightwatchman but he was run out on noug...
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Shakeel double hundred has Pakistan in command of 1st test in Sri Lanka

Saud Shakeel became the first Pakistan batter to make a double hundred in Sri Lanka as the visitors took control of the first test after making 461 on Tuesday.Behind by 149 runs on the first innings, Sri Lanka reduced that to 135 when it was 14 for no loss by stumps on day three. Shakeel was stranded on 208 not out, his second century in two tests, when Pakistan was all out after tea. In six tests since his debut in December, he has scored a double hundred, a hundred and five half-centuries. He has a Bradmanesque average of 98.5. Shakeel was the mainstay of Pakistan’s innings by stitching valuable partnerships with the lower middle order and the tail after the top order collapsed. At 101-5, a first-innings lead was the last thing on Pakistan’s mind, but Shakeel added 177 runs with Agha ...
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1st Test: Shakeel’s double ton puts Pakistan on top against Sri Lanka | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Saud Shakeel achieved a significant milestone in his Test cricket career by scoring his maiden double century, enabling Pakistan to take a commanding lead of 149 runs against Sri Lanka on the rain-affected third day of the opening match in Galle on Tuesday.In the final session, Sri Lanka managed to dismiss the Pakistani team for 461 runs. However, the hosts had to endure a frustrating ninth-wicket partnership of 94 runs between Shakeel, who remained unbeaten on a remarkable 208, and Naseem Shah, who contributed six runs off 78 deliveries.The 27-year-old Shakeel, appearing in his sixth Test match, showcased his batting prowess as he confidently cut Dhananjaya de Silva for a boundary to reach the double century mark, receiving a well-deserved standing ovation for his remarkable...
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1st Test: Shakeel, Saud help Pakistan counter Sri Lanka’s spin | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Pakistan found themselves in a precarious position at 101-5 during the rain-hit opening Test in Galle, but a remarkable unbeaten century partnership between Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman rescued their innings.Their resilient stand helped Pakistan reach 221-5 by the end of the second day, trailing Sri Lanka by 91 runs.Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya proved to be a key threat for Sri Lanka, claiming three crucial wickets, including that of skipper Babar Azam. Sri Lanka batsman Dhananjaya de Silva had earlier made 122 to hand the hosts a respectable total.Pakistan faltered in their reply before Shakeel, on 69, and Salman, on 61, put on 120 runs to steady the innings and thwart the Sri Lankan spinners.The left- and right-hand batting combination of Shakeel and Salman mixed the...
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Watch: Imam-ul-Haq takes one handed stunner during 1st SL vs PAK Test

Pakistan player Imam-ul-Haq took a stunning catch at short-leg in the final over of the first day’s play in the first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the Galle International Stadium on Sunday. Sri Lankan keeper batter Sadeera Samarawickrama who was looking to see off the over was stunned by off-spinner Agha Salman’s delivery which took off of the surface and turned a bit. The batter stayed back in the crease and the ball took the inside edge of the bat and popped up in the air when Imam leapt and grabbed a one-handed stunner. Samarawickrama looked shell-shocked by the delivery and was in disbelief. Till then, he along with Dhananjaya de Silva had built a 57-run valuable partnership for the sixth wicket. However, the timing of the wicket would leave a bittersweet taste in the mou...