Top 5 T20Is of 2017

#4 Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – Abu Dhabi

Shadab was brilliant in the final over of the game

Sri Lanka weren’t at full strength in the series in question as players opted out of playing the final match at Lahore citing security issues.

In addition to that, the Lankan team were in a rut, having struggled in the limited-overs formats of late. After a historic Test series win in the UAE, they lost the ODI series 5-0 to Pakistan. They were also 1-0 down in the 3-match T20I series but started the 2nd game well, moving to 106/1 in 16 overs. However, a dramatic collapse meant the Islanders could manage only 124 in their 20 overs as they lost their last 8 wickets for 18 runs.

After a good start, Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals and slipped to 113/7. With 12 needed off the final over and 3 wickets in hand, the game was heading towards a tight finish. Rookie Vikum Sanjaya was given the final over and he repaid the faith showed in him with a wicket off the first ball. However, a drop off the third ball followed by a six and a two (struck by Shadab Khan) sealed the game and series for Pakistan.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 124 for 9 (Gunathilaka 51, Samarawickrama 32, Faheem 3-16, Hasan Ali 2/31) lost to Pakistan 125 for 8 (Sarfraz 28, Shehzad 27, Shadab Khan 16*, Thisara 3-24)