Top 5 run chases by visiting teams in Sri Lanka

#4 Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I: Sri Lanka v Pakistan at Colombo (RPS), Aug 1, 2015

Anwar Ali shocked Sri Lanka with his blitzkreig

It looks like Pakistan have made it a habit of pulling off stunning victories against Sri Lanka. In this edition, they had an unlikely hero in the form of their no. 9 batsman – Anwar Ali. He led Pakistan to a stunning victory from the clutches of almost-certain defeat.

This victory was the highest run chase by a visiting team in a T20 International match in Sri Lanka. Anwar Ali’s unbeaten 46 is also the highest score by a no. 9 batsman in this format of the game.

On winning the toss, Sri Lanka decided to bat first. Shehan Jayasuriya and Chamara Kapugedara led the way for Sri Lanka as the inexperienced team put up a respectable total of 172 in 20 overs. Shoaib Malik meanwhile was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan with his 2-16 in 3 overs.

Pakistan appeared to be tumbling to a heavy loss at 40-5 until Shahid Afridi came out to bat. “Boom Boom” Afridi smashed 45 runs from 22 balls and with the help of Imad Wasim, Pakistan were back in the game.

After Afridi’s wicket, Sri Lanka thought they had the match in their grasp. 7 wickets down and 66 runs required from 35 balls, Ali produced a cataclysmic 46 from 17 balls to stun the hosts.

The match went down to the wire with Malinga picking up 2 wickets in the penultimate over, but with Imad Wasim at the striker’s end in the last over, he ensured there were no slip ups as Pakistan won a seemingly impossible chase

Result: Pakistan 174 for 9 (Anwar 46, Afridi 45) beat Sri Lanka 172 for 7 (Kapugedera 48*, Jayasuriya 40) by one wicket.