Historic win for Pakistan
PCB now hope to host more matches after home win over Sri Lanka
LAHORE: Pakistan marked the return of Sri Lanka with a 3-0 Twenty20 series whitewash, as officials hoped the match will help reestablish the country’s reputation for hosting international cricket.
The third and final Twenty20 match, which Pakistan comfortably won by 36 runs at Gaddafi stadium in Lahore on Sunday, was Sri Lanka’s first since their team bus was attacked near the same venue in March 2009.
Those attacks, which left eight people dead and seven Sri Lanka players and their staff injured, suspended international cricket in Pakistan and forced them to play at neutral venues of United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The first two matches, which Pakistan won by seven and two wickets respectively, were played in Abu Dhabi before Sri Lanka flew to Lahore in a 24-hour fly in, fly out arrangement.
The match was the fourth international since the attack, with Zimbabwe playing a five-match limited over series in 2015 followed by the final of Pakistan Super League and a three-match Twenty20 series with the World XI comprising of players from seven countries – both this year.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi dubbed the match “historic”. “This is historic because it marks the beginning of a new era of international cricket in Pakistan,” said Sethi.
“This sends a big signal to the rest of the cricketing nations that Pakistan is ready to host international cricket.”
Sri Lanka Cricket president Thilanag Sumathipala vowed his board will not leave Pakistan in isolation.
“We are happy and privileged to be here to support Pakistan cricket,” said Sumathipala. ■ POTCHEFSTROOM (South Africa): David Miller smashed the fastest century in Twenty20 international cricket as South Africa outclassed Bangladesh by 83 runs in the second and final Twenty20 international at Senwes Park on Sunday.
Miller’s 35-ball hundred propelled South Africa to 224 for four before Bangladesh were bowled out for 141, completing a clean-sweep for South Africa in two Tests, three one-day internationals and two T20 internationals. It was an extraordinary innings by Miller. Dropped on nought, he admitted: “I felt pretty scratchy to be honest. In the first 10 balls I could have been out twice.”
He had only scored 18 runs off 14 balls, then came an assault which yielded 82 runs off 21 balls to get to his century. — AFP