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.
