Pakistan vs Sri Lanka - Quick flicks of the day

Sri Lanka players celebrate beating Pakistan to win the ICC World Twenty20 2012 Semi Final at R. Premadasa Stadium on October 4, 2012 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

A battle between the sub continental giants provided the perfect start to the knockout stage of the tournament. The nerves would have been jangling but both teams made confident starts to the match. Hafeez went in with Sohail Tanvir for the game and Sri Lanka dropped Dhananjaya to pick the more experienced Herath. The Lankan openers started the game solidly and many of us hoped to see some fireworks later in the innings. But the batsmen just couldn’t get out of their shell. Dilshan couldn’t get going, Sanga got out after playing a cameo, Mathews and Perera could play only in the last 2 overs and only Jayawardene got some momentum going for them.

The Pakistan bowlers didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. They just kept hitting the right areas without trying to be too innovative. Ajmal looked a bit off boil today but Tanvir, Hafeez and Hasan were right on the money. Sri Lanka still managed to put up one of those teasing little targets(140) that don’t look intimidating enough but are sure to test your big match temperament

Pakistan started off well with Nazir hitting a few boundaries but then Mendis sneaked through his defence to clean him up. Mathews then struck twice in an over to put Sri Lanka in the driver’s seat but then Hafeez and U Akmal seemed to be running away with it until a spirited left arm spinner gave his country a chance to come back and maybe win the game. Two wickets in two balls for Herath turned the game on its head. Akmal and Gul couldn’t repeat the super eight heroics again and Sri Lanka won it comfortably in the end.

A game involving Pakistan without any twists does not seem correct to the ear. Here are some of the special moments and key takeaways from the game

Jayawardene is the one for all formats

A big day and a big man steps up to the occasion. A scintillating display of class from this man when all other batsmen were finding it hard to strike the ball away. He constantly reminds us that T20 is not about just slogging the ball, it is about finesse and class too.

Tanvir brings in more variety to the Pakistan attack

Their spin bowling is surely the best in the world but against a side that plays spin well you need to mix it up. The Pakistan team management made a great choice by dropping Razzaq and picking Tanvir for the all important semi final. His left arm angle is tough to deal with and the odd wrong foot action makes him a little difficult to pick. He bowled pretty well today, though couldn’t get wickets but his economy was well under control

Gul’s no ball problem

Coming in to bowl after the 15th over, Gul managed to trap Jeevan Mendis right in front but the delivery was an illegal one. He had managed to step over the line once again. Gul has had this problem of bowling no balls for a long time now and should rectify it because one such small moment could change the entire course of the game.

Mathews strikes twice in an over

Pakistan were well on their way to achieving the target of 139 when lightning struck them. Mathews picked up the in form Jamshed and Kamran Akmal in the space of two balls to give Sri Lanka some breathing space.

Malinga’s butter fingers

Hafeez aimlessly chipped the ball to long on just to see Malinga spill a sitter. It was an expensive miss as Hafeez scored a valuable 18 runs after that. Thankfully for Malinga, the other batsman just did not support Hafeez’s cause and Sri Lanka won it in the end.

Herath’s inspired selection

Dropping the young kid Dhananjaya after some good performances and picking the more experienced Herath was a bold decision by Sri Lanka and how well did it come off in the end. Herath picked up three wickets and two of them came in successive deliveries which ultimately took the game away from Pakistan as they were left tottering at 91 for 6.

Sri Lanka have moved on to the final of the T0 world cup and would be bidding to become the first host nation to win the cup. They await the winner of Australia and West Indies.