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By APD Writer Muhammad Sohail
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 14 (APD) -- Opening batsman Hashim Amla’s unbeaten 72 runs and the man of the match Thisara Perera’s quick-fired undefeated 47 enable the World XI to level the Twenty20 International series against Pakistan by winning the second match on Wednesday night in Lahore.
Pakistan won the tolls and elected to bat first and scored 174 for 6 in 20 overs and World XI knocked off the target with 175 runs for the loss of three wickets with one ball remaining.
Hashim kept the World XI in sight of victory but it was man of the match Sri Lankan star Perera who thrashed home bowlers with authority and led the success to side, hitting five towering success.
The pair of top scorers joined hands for a cause and went on to score 69 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket and achieved a win after extending punishment to Pakistani mix attack with precision and command.
Hashim stroked two sixes and five fours in 55 ball innings and found a useful partner in Perera who consumed 19 balls and played the victory stroke with a huge six.
As Pakistani bowlers failed to halt the steady batting of Hashim and stroke play of Perera, the match slipped out of their hands and World XI made their presence felt in front of a charged crowd.
From Pakistan side, there were some meaningful contributions from Babar Azam (45), opener Ahmad Shahzad (43) and Fakhar Zaman (21) and Shoaib Malik (39).
Talking at the post-match ceremony, World XI captain Faf du Plessis said planning and responsible batting of the team led them to victory in the second T20 international match of the independence cup series.
“Hashim deserves praise for his good batting and Perera's stroke play gave final touches to the victory,” said Plessis, adding “Playing conditions were good and things went our way in today's match and hopefully we will get the similar conditions to put up another good show.”
The third and final match of the series will be played on Friday night at the same venue in Lahore.
It is the first mega cricket event being held in Pakistan after a gap of more than eight years. Cricket and other international sports activities came to halt after a group of terrorists attacked Sri Lankan cricket team in March 2009 and injured some team members.
The World XI team comprises world’s top players from seven countries testifies that Pakistan has significantly improved its security through military operations.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
