Mohammad Hasnain’s hat-trick was in vain as a young Sri Lanka side shocked Pakistan with a 64-run win in the opening match of the Twenty20 International series in Lahore. Top-ranked Pakistan had won six consecutive T20 contests with Sri Lanka and the tourists were smarting from a 2-0 ODI series defeat, but they pulled off an upset under new captain Dasun Shanaka at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Sri Lanka posted 165-5 after losing the toss, Danushka Gunathilaka top scoring with 57 from 38 balls before 19-year-old Hasnain (3-37) took a hat-trick across two overs in his second international in the shortest format.
Pakistan were bowled out for 101 in reply to suffer a fourth loss in their last five T20s, Nuwan Pradeep (3-21) and Isuru Udana (3-11) starring in a superb Sri Lanka display in the field.
”It’s a great achievement for us without our top guns. Our openers were tremendous on this wicket. We had great belief in this team. All the credit need to go to the openers and debutant Banuka. The bowlers also started well” Sri Lanka Captain Dasun Shanaka louded team effort after thumping win.
Gunathilaka got Sri Lanka off to a great start after they were put in, setting about Faheem Ashraf and Hasnain to bring the 50 stand up in the fifth over.
”It was a great win for the unit, and we did well in the one-dayers as well. Avishka batted well and it helped me a lot. When we go forward, we can win more games” said Gunathilaka after winning man of the match award.
