Twitter Reactions: Pakistan roll over Sri Lanka to win the first T20I

Pakistan cricket has been going through a purple patch, especially in the limited-overs format. While not many people gave the Men in Green a chance to lift the Champions Trophy, they soared above expectations and clinched the prestigious tournament. Recently, they whitewashed Sri Lanka by a margin of 5-0 in the One-Day International series. Sarfraz Ahmed’s boys carried over their stupendous run of form to the T20I series as they humbled the Lankan Lions by a comprehensive margin of 7 wickets.

Not once did Sri Lanka look like getting the measure of the Pakistan team. After winning the toss, Sarfraz elected to field first. The decision turned out to be a masterstroke as the Pakistani bowlers hardly allowed the Sri Lankan batsmen to gain momentum. After a sterling show in the 3rd ODI, Usman Khan again went on to display his class as he picked up the vital wickets of Danushka Gunathilaka and Thisara Perera. Hasan Ali, the recently crowned number 1 ODI bowler, was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets at an economy of 6.57.

The likes of Seekuge Prasanna, Thissara Perera and debutant Sadeera Samarawickrama got starts but were unable to cash in. Consequently, Lanka stumbled to a modest score of 102 runs and horror of horrors, they couldn’t play out their full quota of 20 overs. During their chase, Pakistan had some jittery moments, losing the early wickets of the swashbuckling Fakhar Zaman and the elegant Babar Azam. However, a level-headed partnership between Ahmed Shehzad and Shoaib Malik steadied the ship for Pakistan.

After losing Shehzad, Malik was joined by Mohammed Hafeez and the duo ensured that Pakistan breached the finishing line without further hiccups. Sri Lankan bowlers bowled their heart out but couldn’t put a lid on the scoring. Vikum Sanjaya was the only silver lining in the dark clouds of the Sri Lankan bowling attack. The right-hand pacer bowled beautifully and returned with figures of 4-0-20-2, which included 11 dot balls.

Here are the reactions of fans, pundits and others from across the globe:

Pakistan recently in limited-overs cricket:

Played 21
Won 17
Lost 4#Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) October 26, 2017

Pakistan win the 1st T20I in Abu Dhabi by 7 wickets, to take a 1-0 lead in the series #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/WCSTZAJwRb

— ICC (@ICC) October 26, 2017

Another victory against srilanka’well played Pakistan??specially @realshoaibmalik and @RealHa55an ‘best of luck for 2nd match #PakvSL

— Saleem Khaliq (@saleemkhaliq) October 26, 2017

Pakistan in their last 12 T20Is:
Won
Won
Lost
Won
Won
Lost
Won
Won
Won
Won
Won
Won
#Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) October 26, 2017

Thisara Perera has played more T20Is (60) than the rest of the 16-man Sri Lankan squad put together (47). #PAKvSL #CricketStats

— Shahzad Tirmizi Syed (@shahzadtirmizi) October 26, 2017

Bromance!#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/T99UgIWvbk

— Ahsan. ?? (@iPakistaniLAD) October 26, 2017

Hafeez has played in 5 t20 world cups. In the one WC he hasn't played in, Pakistan won(2009)

Scored 1 50 in 22 inns. AVG of 20 & SR of 105.

— Haroon (@hazharoon) October 26, 2017

70th T20i win for Pakistan, most wins by any team in T20Is. Pakistan's win% in T20Is is 59.32%, also most by any team in shortest format.

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) October 26, 2017

Danny Morrison "In later years they'll have a statue of Hasan Ali in his home town" #Cricket #PakvSL

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) October 26, 2017

Again a pathetic innings by Ahmed Shahzad. How many chances we will give to him.#PakvSL

— DJ Ahmer Najeeb (@AhmerNajeeb) October 26, 2017

Hasan Ali's 3-fer streak continues in the T20's too #pakvsl

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 26, 2017

Ahmad shahzad is a soft target for critism … jisku dekhu start hojata hai.. he scored 89 in his previous innings #PAKvSL

— Imran Siddique (@SportsJournoo) October 26, 2017

The Hasan Ali celebration has to be one of the best in world cricket. Absolutely love it! #BOOM #PakvSL

— Usama Mir (@iamusamamir) October 26, 2017

Sarfraz Ahmed as Captain in T20Is:

Played: 12
Won: 10
Lost: 2
Pakistan at No. 2 in T20Is

What A Leader ? #PAKvSL #PakvsSL pic.twitter.com/W9uFyLUx6q

— Saad ?? (@SaadAwais22) October 26, 2017

Watching this Sri Lankan team play cricket is depressing even for a neutral fan, forget a Sri Lankan fan. #PAKvSL

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 26, 2017

Ahmed Shehzad is by far one of the worst and most selfish player Pakistan has ever produced. Absolutely disgusting.#PakvsSL #PAKvSL

— Ali Akber (@aliakberhabib) October 26, 2017

Ahmed Shehzad is once in a generation player.

— Arfan ? (@Im__Arfan) October 26, 2017

I don't know what but something has happened to Ahmed Shehzad. He looked so different at start of his career than what He's now.

— Saad ?? (@SaadAwais22) October 26, 2017

Another Master Class Innings by the Legendary Ahmed Shehzad

Strike Rate of ~69 in T20

Bloody Brilliant Isn't It?#PAKvSL #SLvsPAK #T20I

— The Football Wizard (@thefutbolwizard) October 26, 2017

Ahmed Shehzad ko ab khud hi sharam ajani chahie :3#PakvsSL

— Salman Ahmed ?? (@salman10ahmed) October 26, 2017

When you miss the century by 78 runs. Bad luck the legend Ahmed Shehzad #iamshehzad pic.twitter.com/n0AuKQyXqL

— Tanam Hamza (@TanamHamza) October 26, 2017

ghareeb admi ki dua mein itni power nahi hogi jitni ahmed shehzad ki parchi mein hay

— A h m e d (@Ahlvled_) October 26, 2017

We don't deserve legend like Ahmed Shehzad in our team, please stay away

— Umair (@wutdahack) October 26, 2017

Sir Ahmed Shehzad Gone!
But what an extra ordinary batting by the Legend! ??#PAKvSL

— Rimmy ?? (@its_Rimsha) October 26, 2017

Thanks to Ahmed Shehzad . The game is still not one sided ! Could have stay longer lol #PAKvSL

— Lolwale (@sabkilengayab) October 26, 2017