Sri Lanka's inexperience shows and other key talking points as Pakistan win first T20I

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  • Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.

    Pakistan overcame a new look Sri Lanka comfortable in the end after a brief stutter to take a 1-0 lead in three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi.

    With the islanders having named a much changed lineup for the T20 series, the new look side were put to the sword by Pakistan’s bowlers as they were bundled out for 102 runs.

    Sarfraz Ahmed’s men chased down the modest total with seven wickets to spare in the end to take the early initiative in the series.

    We look at the key talking points of a match dominated by Pakistan’s bowlers.

    Sri Lanka’s inexperience shows

    Sri Lanka cricket had chosen a revamped squad led by all-rounder Thisara Perera for the T20I series following the hesitation of several senior players in touring Lahore for the final match.

    The inexperience in the side showed after only two batsmen managed to cross the 20-run mark for the islanders after they were put into bat. Danushka Gunathilaka started with a bang but departed soon after and only Sadeera Samarawickrama and Seekkuge Prasanna showed any application with the bat.

    With the squad of a mix of fringe players and relative newcomers, Sri Lanka found the going tough against a Pakistan unit which has looked extremely good in the limited-overs format.

    Sri Lanka's inexperience in the batting line up showed.

    Sri Lanka’s inexperience in the batting line up showed.

     Pakistan’s bowling attack comes to the fore once again

    With Hasan Ali in the form of his life and the likes of Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim and Usman Khan chipping in, the Pakistan bowling attack has been on a hot run of late as they continue their domination over opposition batsmen.

    On Thursday, the complete bowling attack was on point once again with wickets being shared among all the bowlers.

    After Imad Wasim struck with the new ball as is custom, the Pakistan spinners seized the initiative as Shadab Khan and Mohammad Hafeez created havoc on the pitch. Hafeez showed why is ranked as the number one all-rounder in this format to pick up two wickets in quick sucession while Shadad had to settle for one.

    Hasan Ali returned to clean up the tail as Usman Khan and Faheem Ashraf too found themselves among the wickets.

    Mohammad Hafeez chipped in with two quick wickets.

    Mohammad Hafeez chipped in with two quick wickets.

    Shoaib Malik sees Pakistan through after brief stumble

    With just a modest target of 103 to get, Pakistan sure did make a meal of the chase after Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam departed early.

    Zaman yorked himself after advancing down the track to a Vikum Sanjaya delivery where as Azam was deceived by some exceptional turn and flight by spinner Sachith Pathirana to be stumped by a mile. Ahmed Shehzad struggled to get going in a laboured 22-run knock before being dismissed by Sanajaya.

    In the end, the job to see Pakistan through fell to the experienced heads of Shoaib Malik and Hafeez and the duo did not disappoint with excellent knocks.

    Malik looked really good in his  31-ball unbeaten 42 as he imposed himself on Sri Lanka’s inexperienced bowling attack, especially the spinners.

    Malik's 31-ball 42 run cameo saw Pakistan through with ease.

    Malik’s 31-ball 42 run cameo saw Pakistan through with ease.

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