Sri Lanka comfortably wins the Twenty20 Semi Final

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 16 runs in the semi final match played between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the twenty20 ICC international tournament at R.Premadasa stadium yesterday and entered the finals to be played on Sunday.  Sri Lanka will now play the finals with the winner of today’s semi final between Australia and West India.

Sri Lanka batting first, winning the toss scored 139 runs for the loss of four wickets in the scheduled 20 overs. Skipper Mahela Jayawardene, opening the play made the highest score of 42 runs which included seven fours.  He was the first batsman to return to the Pavilian when the score was 63.  Tillekeratne Dilshan scored 35, Sangakkara 18, and Jeevan Mendis 15.  Tisara Perera Was not out 11 and Ajantha Mendis not out 10.  There were 8 extra runs.

On the bowling side, Sayeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Mohamed Hafees and Umar Gul took one wicket each.

Chasing a target of 140, Pakistan was able to score only 123 runs for the loss of 7 wickets.  Skipper Mohamed Hafeez top scored for Pakistan with 42 runs, which included 4 fours and One Six,.  Umar Akmal scored 29 not out and Imran Nazir 20.  All the other Pakistani batsmen could not reach two digit figures and Shahid Afridi on whom the Pakistani kept much hope was dismissed for naught.

Rangana Herath took 3 wickets for 25 runs, and Mathew and Mendis took 2 wickets each. Sri Lanka could have restricted Pakistan for a low score if not for the poor fielding and missing of some crucial catches.

The second semi final between Australia and West Indies will be played today, and the Finals will be played on Sunday. (niz)