Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2017, 1st T20I: 5 talking points

Pakistan cruised to a comfortable seven-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the three-match series. This result was not unexpected as several of Sri Lanka's front-line players had withdrawn from the series - due to security concerns, they declined to play at Lahore, which is scheduled to host the third T20I.

Let us take a look at the factors that contributed to the outcome of the first T20I.

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#5 Lack of application

For the umpteenth time in this tour, the Sri Lankan batsmen were found wanting against pace and failed to get to a respectable total.

While Dilshan Munaweera went for an ungainly hoick against Imad Wasim, Danushka Gunathilaka looked promising until he unexpectedly got out.

All the other batsmen looked completely out of sorts against the rampaging bowlers. It was the same old story again, albeit in a different format.

#4 Bowlers' day out

Hasan Ali was firing on all guns against Sri Lanka

Pakistan's formidable bowling side was bang on the money.

Mohammed Hafeez got two wickets in one over, and the usual suspect Hasan Ali was the wrecker-in-chief. He bagged three wickets for 23 runs, coincidentally his best bowling figure in T20I cricket. Usman Khan was impressive too, taking two wickets for 20 runs.

#3 Decent bowling effort from the visitors

Vikum Sanjaya's bowling showed heart

While the Islanders continued their wretched form, they did have their moments during Pakistan's chase. They got the opponent's top order out pretty cheaply, kindling hopes of a comeback.

Vikum Sanjaya, in particular, was very impressive, picking the up the two wickets of Fakhar Zaman and Ahmed Shehzad.

However, they fizzled out pretty soon and Pakistan romped home to a comfortable seven-wicket win.

#2 Rare failure from Babar Azam

Babar's quick dismissal came as a surprise

Pakistan's most reliable batsman, Babar Azam, did not have a good day at the office. He was dismissed cheaply for just one run by Sachith Pathirana, stumped while driving away from his body.

While his dismissal did not have much bearing on the result, he would do well to revert to his free-flowing form in the upcoming matches.

#1 Experience to the rescue

Shoaib Malik was in impeccable form

While Pakistan was slightly wobbling at 18/2, in walked the mercurial Shoaib Malik. He timed the ball perfectly in his innings, and formed two crucial partnerships with Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammed Hafeez.

Eventually, Pakistan cruised to victory with Malik and Hafeez remaining unbeaten at 42 and 25 respectively.