World T20 warm-up: Hafeez powers Pakistan to 15-run win over Sri Lanka

Kolkata: Pakistan bowling came to the fore after Mohammad Hafeez’s unbeaten fifty as they defeated World T20 defending champions Sri Lanka by 15 runs in their warm-up match at the Eden Gardens on Monday.

Hafeez struck an unbeaten 70 from 49 balls to help Pakistan post 157/5 before they restricted Sri Lanka for 142/9 in front of a cheering crowd of more than 10,000.

Sri Lanka were wayward with their bowling especially in the death overs and bowled eight wide balls, including five from Dushmantha Chamara, further helping Pakistan’s cause.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi got the biggest cheer when he came to bat but he disappointed by being out first ball.

In reply, Pakistan rookie left-arm spinner Imad Wasim rattled the Lankan chase with his tidy 4/25 from four overs after the towering left-arm quickie Mohammad Irfan (2/18) gave his team a good start.

Lahiru Thirimanne (45 from 37 balls; 4x4, 2x6) and Dinesh Chandimal (30 from 21 balls; 5x4, 1x6) threatened to pull off the chase but they became two of Wasim’s four victims as Lankans struggled to get partnerships going.

Wasim was also sharp with his fielding and dismissed Milinda Siriwardana with a direct throw from extra cover.

A day after Afridi and former captain Shoaib Malik praised Indian crowd, the fans reciprocated cheering every Pakistani run or dismissal.

Following their early exit in the Asia Cup, Pakistan ticked the boxes in all the three departments and produced two run outs on the field.

In the bowling, all eyes were on Mohammad Amir who started with the new ball and was tidy giving away just two runs.

With Amir having tied up the other end, Irfan produced a superb rising bouncer first ball to get rid of Dilshan to give them a perfect start.

Chandimal broke the shackles hitting Irfan to two boundaries while in the next over he went berserk in Riaz’s opening over when he dissected the off side smashing a six and three successive boundaries.

But introduction of Wasim in the sixth over gave them the breakthrough when he dismissed the dangerous looking Chandimal for 30.

Chandimal mistimed one and was caught at midwicket trying to hit across the line.

This was Sri Lanka’s second successive loss in the warmup after going down to New Zealand by 74 runs in Mumbai.

Pakistan open their campaign against qualifiers Bangladesh here March 16, while the next day Sri Lanka face qualifiers Afghanistan.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 157/5; 20 overs (Mohammad Hafeez 70 not out; Thisara Perera 2/21).

Sri Lanka 142/9; 20 overs (Lahiru Thirimanne 45, Dinesh Chandimal 30; Imad Wasim 4/25, Mohammad Irfan 2/18).

Pakistan won by 15 runs.

PTI