Pakistan and Sri Lanka are currently playing their first T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. In the recently concluded ODI series, the visitors were with 2-0 lead before these 20-over ties. This marks the first time an international team is playing T20Is in Pakistan after the World XI which was led by Faf du Plessis.
Sri Lanka saw Dasun Shanaka starting his career by losing the toss who lead them in the format for the first time. Pakistani captain Sarfaraz Ahmed dropped Fakhar Zaman and this marked the international comebacks of Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad.
At the start of the match, Babar Azam was seen dismissed for 13, caught behind wonderfully by Bhanuka off Pradeep. The same bowler knocked out Umar Akmal for a golden duck on his comeback. Things got worse, as Isuru Udana took care of Shehzad, who made 4 runs. Then Sarfaraz Ahmed and Iftikhar Ahmed tried to steady the ship adding 46 to the score.
The duo made a hilarious misunderstanding, Sarfaraz took off in search of a quick single after jamming out a yorker, but Iftikhar at the other end isn’t interested at all. Both batsmen jostled to the crease at the striker’s end. Meanwhile, Udana removed the bails at the bowling end and replays had to be seen who was out.
Sarfaraz Ahmed made the ground first and Iftikhar had to go back to the pavilion for 24-ball 25. The captain followed suit soon for 24 and Pakistan found themselves in trouble at 76/5.
The condition of the team was much better at the half time, as Pakistan had a lot to cheer about, given that Mohammad Hasnain picked a hat-trick that stretched to two overs and became the youngest to do so in T20Is and second-youngest after Aaqib Javed in international cricket.
Twitterati trolled Pakistani batsman after watching the run-out and made fun of the incident in the only way they could.
How many times we have seen this that 2 of our batsman running at the same end selfishly.. can you guys tell me the reason why our boys do this..? They practice , they do training but why running between the wickets error..? 🤷🏻♂️🙄 kindly comment your thoughts 👇🏼 #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/PFvmZtGJUo
— Faisal Iqbal🇵🇰🏏 فیصل اقبال (@FaisalIqbalCric) October 5, 2019
#Sarfraz is just desperate for runs. He cant hit boundries and hence he does mindless running to keep up with required run rate in T20s. #PakvSri https://t.co/XJQPu1sOu9
— Hamza Junaid (@hamza_junaid1) October 5, 2019
Inzamam would be proud https://t.co/5tRqlnO26v
— Abdullah (@AI1SSON) October 5, 2019
Running between the wickets – Pakistani style #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/3UbXC7AQmj
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) October 5, 2019
There are bound to be confusions resulting in runouts in #Cricket but I am amazed to see the number of times it happens with a particular team having both batsmen at the same end of the pitch while being run out. #PAKvSL
— Prerak Ahlawat (@AhlawatPrerak) October 5, 2019
I think MCC wanted to remove Run-out from dismissal but Pakistan didn't want it. So they try to convince them till now with their hilarious Run-outs.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 5, 2019
Sarfraz does not fit in T20 side. Just caused us a run out, a bizarre shot to get out.
— Saeed. (@LePathaan) October 5, 2019
Sarfaraz is now on the crease for more than 10 overs now and he is playing so damn poor could have done a favor if he had been runout instead of Iftikhar #PAKvSL
— Zubair Hanif (@Arsenalist04) October 5, 2019
When there is only one biryani plate left #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/xv9aVfUI4o
— Meem Jeem ♡ (@desicucumber) October 5, 2019
Only one team can do this. https://t.co/5Vla0jCf0J
— Varun (@wizardrincewind) October 5, 2019
Typical Pakistan things 🤣🤣 https://t.co/UFi8d3u1RU
— Dilip Kumar (@dilip_0235) October 5, 2019
Yearly event https://t.co/Cmirzqn3hx
— absy (@absycric) October 5, 2019
