Umar Amin justifies selection and other key talking points as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka

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  • Pakistan welcomed international cricket back to the country with a win.

    With international cricket making a return to Pakistan, all eyes were on the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore as the hosts welcomed Sri Lanka for the final T20I of the three-match series.

    There had been eager anticipation for the islander’s return to the city where they had come under a terrorist attack in 2009 with all-rounder Thisara Perera leading a revamped Sri Lanka squad for the series.

    With Pakistan already having wrapped up the series courtesy of their two wins in the UAE, Sarfraz Ahmed’s men were looking to cap off the return of international cricket in the country with a win in front of a packed stadium.

    In the end, the hosts proved to be a class above the relatively inexperienced Sri Lanka side with a comfortable 36-run victory to complete a 3-0 clean-sweep of the series.

    We look at the three key talking points for the historic match.

    Umar Amin justifies his selection with a sparkling 45-run knock

    The left-handed opener was given a spot in the playing XI after missing out in the opening two games and he vindicated that decision with a fine 37-ball 45.

    Amin, together with swashbuckling batsman Fakhar Zaman, put on a 57-run stand for the opening wicket to set Pakistan off to a great start.

    It was the 28-year-old Amin who overshadowed his more illustrious opening partner as he played some lovely shots in his innings. The batsman hit three boundaries and a six in his knock as Pakistan made the most of the first power-play.

    Having scored 47 in his T20I debut in 2013, Amin has struggled to find any form in the format since and his knock on Sunday will go a long way to boosting his confidence.

    Amin justified his selection over Ahmed Shehzad with a sparkling 45.

    Amin justified his selection over Ahmed Shehzad with a sparkling 45.

    Shoaib Malik’s late assault helps Pakistan set big total

    While Zaman and Amin had given Pakistan a healthy start in their innings, it was the veteran Malik’s sensational hitting at the death that enabled Sarfraz Ahemd’s men to put up a commanding total of 180-3.

    The 35-year-old brought up his sixth T20I fifty in just 24 balls as he put Sri Lanka’s bowlers to the sword in the final ten overs.

    Malik’s innings was strewed with five boundaries and two massive sixes as his quick acceleration towards the end provided Pakistan with the perfect finish to their innings.

    The veteran batsman also overtook New Zealand’s Martin Guptill to become the fourth highest run-scores in the history of T20I cricket with 1, 821 runs to his name.

    He is now behind only Brendon McCullum, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Virat Kohli in the all-time top-scorer list in the format.

    Malik's 24-ball 51 was the catalyst for Pakistan's imposing total.

    Malik’s 24-ball 51 was the catalyst for Pakistan’s imposing total.

    Mohammad Amir makes his Pakistan return after 3066 days

    The Pakistan pace spearhead made his international debut in July, 2009 against England in a T20I but with international cricket coming to an abrupt halt in the country in the same year, Amir has not had the opportunity to showcase his talents in his own backyard.

    When the 25-year-old took the field against Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi stadium, he was making his first ever appearance for Pakistan at home, a staggering 3,066 days since his debut match!

    With such a long wait to play in front of his home fans, the left-arm quick wasted no time in making a mark as he snapped up a wicket with his very second ball of the match.

    Amir cleaned up Sri Lankan opening batsman Dilshan Munaweera’s stumps with a beautiful in-swinging delivery that tailed back in to beat the right-hander.

    The chance for the pacer to revel in home conditions came after an excruciating wait but it was well worth it judging by his celebrations. Amir picked up three more wickets towards the end to round off a brilliant bowling display with figures of 4-13 off his four overs.

    Mohammad Amir is all smiles after capturing the wicket of Munaweera.

    Mohammad Amir is all smiles after capturing the wicket of Munaweera.

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