Pakistan v World XI, 2nd T20I - 5 Talking Points

World XI beat Pakistan in a nail-biting finish by 7 wickets in the second T20 international in front of a jam packed Gaddafi Stadium. The series is now leveled at 1-1 with the decider to be played on Friday at the same ground. Thisara Perera torn into all the bowlers in the death overs to take his side over the finish line in a cliffhanger of a contest.

Pakistan got off to a decent start thanks to Fakhar Zaman and Ahmed Shahzad, their openers, who added 41 in less than 5 overs. Then came Babar Azam, who looked fluent once again as the hosts looked set for another big total. But then the spinners and cutters bowled by the seamers came to the fore of the visiting side which controlled the innings. Once again, like in the previous game, the experience of Shoaib Malik helped as he hit some lusty blows towards the end to power his side to 174/6.

In reply, World XI this time got off to a better start as Tamim Iqbal and Hashim added 47 in quick time. But three spinners of the home side squeezed all the runs as Amla and Co. could not milk them for more than a run-a-ball. Thisara Perera, who was promoted up the order, made sure the series goes into the third game as World XI won the game off the penultimate ball of the last over.

We bring you the five talking points of the match

1) Babar Azam and Ahmed Shehzad lay solid platform

After opting to bat first, Fakhar Zaman was dismissed in the 5th over but Babar and Shehzad continued to rotate the strike sensibly. The latter struggled early on but found his mojo soon as he scored a couple of hits down the ground. Babar, hailed as the future of Pakistan cricket, played proper cricketing shots and hit 5 boundaries in his innings. The duo added a vital 59 runs for the second wicket in 43 deliveries which made sure Pakistan post a hefty total on the board.

2) Shoaib Malik blitz help Pakistan cross 170

The top order had laid a wonderful base for the middle and lower order to come good for the hosts. But World XI bowlers struck back with quick blows. Shoaib Malik, who came in at 4, took his time early on and then controlled the innings at the death. He took a particular liking towards Ben Cutting in the last over and scored 17 runs which powered his team to 174. Malik was dismissed off the last ball of the innings for a breezy 39 which came off just 23 balls with 1 four and three gigantic sixes.

3) Hashim Amla’s superlative knock

Hashim Amla is known for his class and it was on display in Lahore for the viewers. He looked absolutely assured of his shots right from the word go. He played the spinners cleverly and made sure he did not lose his wicket. The 34-year old held one end up as wickets kept falling around him. At the death, he ran hard along with Perera and made sure the latter was on strike to hit some much-needed boundaries. Amla, in the end, carried his bat through with 72 runs off 55 balls and his knock consisted of 5 fours and a couple of sixes.

4) Perera’s match winning contribution

Thisara Perera made amends for his last night’s poor spell. Firstly, he bowled very well and returned with impressive figures of 2/23. He followed it up with a blitzkrieg knock with the willow in the hand and justified the team’s decision to send him up the order ahead of David Miller. Perera hit some lusty blows down the ground to ease the pressure off Amla. The bowlers too helped him by dishing up full tosses but he made sure they clear the rope comfortably. He finished the game in style by hitting a six off the penultimate ball of the final over under immense pressure and help World XI level the series. Perera remained unbeaten on 47 off just 19 cherries out of which 5 were hit out of the park.

5) Angry Sarfraz Ahmed throughout the second innings

Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed could not do much with the bat as he bagged a golden duck but had a lot to say to his teammates throughout their defense of 174. He was clearly disappointed with team’s fielding and expressed his anger straight on the face of the fielders at times. Pakistan was indeed sloppy in the field as they threw the bowl at the wrong ends despite captain’s indications. Even the experienced Shoaib Malik dropped a catch of Perera at a crucial point which turned out to be decisive. It was understandable that Sarfaraz lost his cool but being the skipper he needs to be calm and composed in future to take hold of the things in such tight situations.