Brilliant catching led to victory:

Lanka draw first blood beat Pakistan by 37 runs

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE ,Sooriyawewa Stadium, Friday

Brilliant catching by the Sri Lankan fielders, after the batting flopped helped them beat Pakistan by 37 runs in the first of two Twenty20 games, under lights here today.

With not much of runs to play with, skipper Jayawardena showed the excellence in his leadership by switching his bowlers around intelligently and did not the bowlers and fielders oblige. Pakistan could manage to only make 95.

After restricting Si Lanka to 132 for 7 in their 20, Pakistan were off to a horrendous start losing two wickets – that of opener Mohammed Hafeez and one drop Shakeel Ansar brilliantly held by Tillekeratne Dilshan at point without scoring to the first two balls bowled by Nuwan Kuleekera.

Both, Hafeez and Ansar played similar strokes, the cut and the ball seemed to be skidding to the boundary, when Dilshan, judging well wrapped his hands round the ball which left everyone bemused.

It is said that catches win matches and these two were certainly match winning catches. It was unbelievable – same shot, same fielder and same bowler. Kulesekera was off line with the hat trick ball.

Then followed Latiff for 3 at 12 and Sohaib Malik for 9 and Palkistan were 46 for 4 and 51 for 4 at the conclusion of the first 10 overs. These two wickets fell to Angelo Mathews. The catch that Thissara Perera took diving at third man to dismiss Malik was a stunner.

Big names in Pakistani cricket Umar Akmal 12 and Sahid Afridi departed cheaply and ten Tanvir was run out for no score and at 71 for 7, the visitors were in quicksand. The remaining batsmen fell meekly and Pakistan were all out for 95.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardena as usual called correctly and decided to bat. This Twenty20 was the fourth ODI to be played on this picturesque looking venue and the first Twenty20 to be played at the Mahind Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota which was built for the 2011 World Cup.

Losing the toss would not have been good omen for Pakistani skipper Mohammed Hafeez who was making his debut as captain of the Twenty20 squad. He will remember this beginning for the rest of his career.

While Jayawrdena was lucky with the coin, he was unlucky with the bat. After nudging left arm paceman’s first ball for two to fine leg and playing down the second delivery, he tried to loft the bower to the off, got a top edge and skied for Shoab Malik to take a well

judged catch at cover point. After making 5, Tillekeratne Dilshan attempting a flick skied to Umar Gul at deep fine leg and then Kumar Sangakkara who was striking well hitting Mohamed Sami for three fours in a row, attempting to cut, dragged the ball on to his stumps and on 31 for 3, with three of their best batsmen gone, the Lankan batting was in shambles.

All wickets were taken by Shoail Tanvir,who was using the pace on the wicket. He also moved the ball intelligently, beat the bat and was the most menacing of the Pakistani bowlers.

At 39 Dinesh Chandimal tried a wild heave and was bowled by Mohammed Sami who was making a comeback to the Pakistani side. He seemed to have lost his former pace and venom. Chandimal made 10. At the completion of the first 10 overs Sri Lanka were 53 for 4, which was not good going in a game of this style.

Of the remaining batsmen, Left hander Lahiru Thirimane batted sensibly to make 30 in 25 balls with 5 fours an toward the end big hitting left hander Thissara Perera made merry hitting two huge sixes to mid wicket and two flours in making 32 in 16 deliveries.

Considering the strong Pakistani batting, the 132 did not look a formidable total. The Lankan batting did not look organized and the batsmen fell to rash strokes. Tanvir who shook the early bating, returned the best figures of 3 for 12 in 4 overs. Player of the match was Thisara Perera.