Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf Sweep Sri Lanka for 133 as Kamindu Mendis Stars with a Fifty
Early Strides and a Middle‑Order Fightback
When Pakistan won the toss and chose to field, most eyes were on the opening spell of Shaheen Afridi. The left‑arm fast bowler cracked up a 1-12 first over, setting the tone for a disciplined attack. Haris Rauf backed him up with a sharp bouncer that earned Sri Lanka's opening batsman a nervous edge, caught behind for just five runs.
Sri Lanka, however, found a lifeline at 34/2 when all‑rounder Kamindu Mendis walked to the crease. Displaying a blend of timing and power, Mendis pushed the run rate beyond 6 per over, carving out a steady 55‑run partnership with the lower‑order. His fifty came off 71 balls, marked by a crisp cover drive that raced to the boundary and an audacious scoop over mid‑wicket.
Bowling Blitz and the Final Collapse
After Mendis settled in, Pakistan's pacers upped the pressure. Afridi returned with a spell of 2-15, extracting seam movement that caused two mishits. Rauf, operating from the other end, delivered a spellbinding 4 overs, conceding just 10 runs while snaring three key wickets, including the prized dismissal of Mendis' partner, a left‑handed top‑order batsman, for a duck.
The turning point arrived in the 36th over when Rauf bowled a toe‑crushing yorker that clipped the base of the stumps. Mendis was shaken but managed a quick single before being trapped LBW on the next ball. The sudden loss of the set batsman saw Sri Lanka tumble from 112/5 to 133 all out within 12 deliveries.
Pakistan's fielding complemented the bowlers' efforts, with sharp catches in the deep and a crucial run‑out that finished off the innings. The final figures read 20 overs, 133/9, a total that left Sri Lanka with little chance of reaching a competitive target.
Post‑match, Afridi praised the team's collective discipline, while Rauf highlighted the importance of maintaining tight lines in the death overs. Sri Lanka's captain, however, remained optimistic, noting Mendis' knock as a sign that their middle order can still revive the campaign.
This performance not only secures Pakistan a solid position in the group but also sends a clear message to upcoming opponents: the duo of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf can swing a match in a single spell.
About Author
