World Twenty20, 2009
Wisden's review of Pakistan v Sri Lanka, World Twenty20, 2009
15-Apr-2010
At Lord's, June 12. Sri Lanka won by 19 runs. Sri Lanka 2 pts. Toss: Sri Lanka.
This was the first time the teams had met since the Lahore attack in March; the players
lined up together for the anthems rather than in separate groups, and wore black armbands.
Boosted by two Sohail Tanvir overs that contained five wides, three no-balls and a total of
20 deliveries, Sri Lanka were 65 for none by the end of the powerplay.However, Pakistan's
slower bowlers gained control, conceding just 11 from one four-over sequence - and only
54 from their combined ten overs. Shahid Afridi, disguising his change of pace so expertly
that his meagre spin barely mattered, removed the openers, Dilshan for a typically
inventive 46 that included his characteristic flick over his head and the keeper's, and the
impish Jayasuriya. The middle order stalled, and Sri Lanka limped to 150, about par on a
sluggish pitch. Pakistan's reply picked up the sedate tempo, leaving their own middle
order much to do against another set of accomplished spinners. They had a chance while
the fluent Younis Khan and more hesitant Misbah-ul-Haq were together, but once Murali
grabbed two wickets in two balls - Afridi slogging first ball to deep midwicket - the game
was up.
Man of the Match: T. M. Dilshan. Attendance: 27,625.