Rizwan, Iftikhar rescue act lifts Pakistan to competitive total
A phenomenal rescue act from Mohammad Rizwan and Ifthikar Ahmed lifted Pakistan to 252 in 42 overs in a rain-affected first innings in Colombo. Pakistan, who looked comfortable at one stage, struggled with a top-order collapse after the dismissals of Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique, but were rescued from a precarious 130-5 after the rain break by Rizwan and Iftikhar. After the match was (initially) reduced to 45 overs a side, and delayed by nearly two hours, Pakistan boldly opted to bat first on a wicket that would potentially be tacky, skiddy or unpredictable due to the extra moisture. The openers were circumspect to start with, and went at an alarmingly slow rate before Fakhar Zaman was knocked over by a fast, full and swinging delivery from Pramod Madushan. Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique attempted a recovery, and played some exquisite strokes as the wicket started to gain a little more pace and the ball started to come onto the bat. Shafique survived an LBW review against Wellalage, as the ball was only clipping leg-stump, and was struck for a six off the very next ball. However, the stubborn Sri Lankan got his revenge soon after, foxing Babar Azam and getting him stumped. Shafique followed soon after getting to his maiden ODI fifty, pulling one down the throat of Pramod at the deep square leg boundary. The wicket of Shafique, however, triggered a collapse. Mohammad Haris was the first to go, deceived by the lack of pace from Pathirana, handing him a simple return catch. Nawaz was done in by the Theekshana off-break that beat him to topple over his stumps. The wicket of Nawaz brought about another rain break, after which, the overs were reduced by a further three, to 42 overs a side, and Pakistan had collapsed from 73-1 to 130-5. Ifthikar Ahmed and Mohammad Rizwan put together a commendable stand in an attempt to lead a recovery for Pakistan. A Pramod over, where he struggled with two wides and a no-ball and ended up bowling nine balls, went for 18 runs, which really changed the momentum of the innings, as Pakistan roared back into the match after the rain delay. A flurry of fours and sixes ensued, and not even Sri Lanka’s lethal weapon, Matheesha Pathirana could stem the haemorrhage of runs. Iftikhar Ahmed departed for 47 after a 108-run stand with Rizwan, but the pair had done their job. Shadab Khan was caught behind, courtesy a screamer of a catch by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis, but Pakistan finished with a competitive 252 after 42 overs. Brief Scores: (Cricbuzz)
Pakistan 252-7 in 42 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 86*, Abdullah Shaique 52, Matheesha Pathirana 3-65) vs Sri Lanka
