Sri Lankan team arrive in Lahore for T20 series
Warm welcome and a presidential level security greeted Sri Lankan cricket team as it arrived Lahore.
LAHORE (Dunya News) –Day after Pakistan thrashed Sri Lanka by five wickets in the third and final ODI to seal the three-match series by 2-0, Lankan cricket team has arrived in Lahore for three-match Twenty20 series starting Saturday at Lahore.
A warm welcome and a presidential level security greeted the Sri Lankan cricket team as it arrived for the upcoming limited overs engagements against Pakistan.
The Sri Lankan team was taken directly from the airport tarmac to the VIP lounge amid heavy security. They were then driven in bullet proof coasters and cars to the hotel as heavy rains lashed the city.
It is pertinent here to mention that three T20 matches will be played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on October 5, 7 and 9 respectively.
Both Pakistan and Sri Lankan teams will have a practice session at Gaddafi Stadium on October 4 and the captains of both teams will address a press conference after unveiling trophy.
On the other hand, Pakistan has recalled batters Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal for its three-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka, starting Saturday at Lahore.
Shehzad s previous T20 was against Scotland in 2018. Akmal returns to the Twenty20 format after last playing against West Indies in 2016.
Pakistan also included Faheem Ashraf in its 16-man squad after ignoring the allrounder for three one-day internationals against Sri Lanka at Karachi.
Opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq was ruled out of the T20 series due to a hand injury he sustained during the second ODI against Sri Lanka on Monday.
On Wednesday, Pakistan thrashed Sri Lanka by five wickets on Wednesday in the third and final ODI in Karachi to seal the three-match series by 2-0. Chasing 298, Pakistan got off to a flyer as the team added 123 runs in less than 20 overs for the first wicket. However, their resistance was cut short when Abid Ali was caught in front of the stumps.
Babar Azam along with Fakhar Zaman then added 58 runs for the second wicket. Zaman scored 76 runs while Azam smashed 31 runs before both got out as Pakistan were reduced to 189 for the loss of three wickets.
Haris Sohail s quick-fire half-century and a late onslaught by Iftikhar Ahmed ensured Pakistan win the third ODI by five wickets. Earlier, Danushka Gunathilaka s knock of 133 enabled Sri Lanka to post 297/9 in the allotted fifty overs after opting to bat first.
