END OF OVER:20 | 15 Runs | SL: 170/6 | RR: 8.50
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa71 (45b)
- Chamika Karunaratne14 (14b)
- Naseem Shah4-0-40-1
- Mohammad Hasnain4-0-41-0
Game on, folks. Make no mistake. Time now for Pakistan to show that they can absorb the pressure, otherwise, Sri Lanka are favourites to clinch this match according to ESPNcricinfo's Forecaster which gives them a 56% chance of victory at the halfway stage. Danyal will be back to kickstart the 2nd innings.
Naseem Shah says, "We should've restricted Sri Lanka to around 120. It was swinging and seaming early on, but the wicket got better as the game progressed."
Murad Syed: "What a reliable batting line up by SL! You guys proved "team work is dream work"! Good luck with bowling now. Hoping to watch good batting by PK!"
JOYDEEPSINGHGIL: "What a comeback by Sri Lanka From 58/5 in 8.5 and in next 11.1 overs 112 runs on 2 wickets "
7.48pm From 58 for 5, Sri Lanka have climbed to 170 for 6. This was an innings to remember. Pakistan's seamers with the early domination, the Hasaranga cameo, the Karunaratne anchoring and of course the Rajapaksa blitzkrieg. His 71 in 45 balls has given their bowlers something significant to bowl at. Remember, this is a final, and the pressure of a chase in a final is a whole different #BallGame.
ARM: "Take a bow, Rajapaksa! Regardless of the result, SL should feel proud of how they've fought back with the bat. "
Shadab is doing some neck exercises on the boundary line. Pakistan may even need the batter in him tonight.
Naseem for the final over.
END OF OVER:19 | 8 Runs | SL: 155/6 | RR: 8.15
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa57 (40b)
- Chamika Karunaratne13 (13b)
- Mohammad Hasnain4-0-41-0
- Haris Rauf4-0-29-3
Shadab is still on the floor. Pakistan fans groaning in the crowd. Hope the fielder is okay, but these six runs will be very crucial in the context of the game. Not a good day as a fielder for Shadab today. Got hit near his left ear early in the game, then dropped a catch in the previous over, and now another drop (and hopefully not) a prospective injury. Good to see him stand up and walk out of the field on his own though. Here's hoping, once again, it is nothing serious. These kind of injuries are in the "concussion injuries" territory
Umair: "2009 T20 WC that Pakistan won against Sri Lanka in final was almost the same picture. Pakistan taking early breakthroughs, Sangakara playing heroics and giving a good total to defend. Although teams are very different in every aspect, but it was not too different."
Rajapaksa on strike.
END OF OVER:18 | 11 Runs | SL: 147/6 | RR: 8.16
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa50 (35b)
- Chamika Karunaratne12 (12b)
- Haris Rauf4-0-29-3
- Naseem Shah3-0-25-1
Vijay: "Srilanka have done well here!! They have forced Babar to bowl out Haris. Both Naseem and hasnain have been inconsistent and erratic in the final overs....If bhanuka stays there he could maximize those two overs. SL can look to post 175 from here!"
Shafi khoso: "Just loving the way islanders are batting.. "
Sheel: "SL have shown great tenacity. Shows the importance of All Rounders in T20 format!"
51 runs off the last five overs. Rauf.
END OF OVER:17 | 16 Runs | SL: 136/6 | RR: 8.00
- Chamika Karunaratne10 (9b)
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa45 (32b)
- Naseem Shah3-0-25-1
- Mohammad Nawaz1-0-3-0
16 off that over.
Afeef: "Naseem will look to repay SL with 2 sixes of his own"