Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan in 2019–20
The Sri Lankan cricket team toured Pakistan in September and October 2019 to play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches against the Pakistan cricket team.[1] The tour originally had two Test matches scheduled to take place, but these were moved to December 2019.[2][3] Sri Lanka last played a match in Pakistan in October 2017, when the third T20I took place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.[4][5] Pakistan won the ODI series 2–0, after the first match was washed out, and Sri Lanka won the T20I series 3–0.[6]
Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan in 2019–20 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Pakistan | Sri Lanka | ||
Dates | 27 September – 23 December 2019 | ||
Captains |
Azhar Ali (Tests) Sarfaraz Ahmed (ODIs and T20Is) |
Dimuth Karunaratne (Tests) Lahiru Thirimanne (ODIs) Dasun Shanaka (T20Is) | |
Test series | |||
Result | Pakistan won the 2-match series 1–0 | ||
Most runs | Abid Ali (321) | Oshada Fernando (146) | |
Most wickets | Shaheen Afridi (8) | Lahiru Kumara (7) | |
Player of the series | Abid Ali (Pak) | ||
One Day International series | |||
Results | Pakistan won the 3-match series 2–0 | ||
Most runs | Babar Azam (146) | Danushka Gunathilaka (147) | |
Most wickets | Usman Shinwari (6) | Wanindu Hasaranga (3) | |
Player of the series | Babar Azam (Pak) | ||
Twenty20 International series | |||
Results | Sri Lanka won the 3-match series 3–0 | ||
Most runs | Sarfaraz Ahmed (67) | Bhanuka Rajapaksa (112) | |
Most wickets |
Mohammad Hasnain (3) Mohammad Amir (3) | Wanindu Hasaranga (8) | |
Player of the series | Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) |
Several players in Sri Lanka's squad opted not to travel for the series,[7] with Lahiru Thirimanne and Dasun Shanaka named as ODI and T20I captains respectively.[8] Despite Pakistan failing to reach the semi finals of the 2019 Cricket World Cup in England, Sarfaraz Ahmed was retained as the captain of the team for the tour, with Babar Azam named as vice-captain.[9][10] Sarfaraz later said that leading the Pakistan team at home "will be one of the highlights of my career".[11]
Following the limited overs matches, Sri Lanka returned to Pakistan in December 2019 to play two Test matches.[12] The Test series formed part of the inaugural 2019–21 ICC World Test Championship.[13][14][15] It was the first time in ten years that Test cricket was played in Pakistan.[16]
The first Test match finished as a draw, with significant amounts of play lost to rain and bad light.[17] Pakistan's Abid Ali scored 109 not out to become the first male cricketer to score a century on debut in a Test and ODI match.[18] Following the first Test, Sri Lanka's captain Dimuth Karunaratne expressed his regret in not playing in the limited-overs matches, and said that "Pakistan is now safe for cricket".[19] Pakistan won the second Test match by 263 runs, to give them a 1–0 series win, and their first Test victory in Pakistan in ten years.[20] Following the win, Pakistan's Test captain Azhar Ali said that "it carried great importance and was very significant because we were playing our first home Test series".[21]
Background
In March 2009, the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by gunmen ahead of the second Test match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, and had not played a full series in Pakistan since.[22] In May 2019, at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Singapore, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made a request to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to play two Test matches in Pakistan.[23] In July 2019, the SLC sent a security expert to assess the situation in Pakistan,[24] with Sri Lanka Cricket saying they were "likely" to play a Test match in the country.[25] A further decision was taken by Sri Lanka after a security delegation inspects venues in Lahore and Karachi in early August 2019.[26][27] The delegation gave Sri Lanka Cricket "very positive feedback", suggesting that Sri Lanka could be open to playing a Test match in Pakistan.[28] On 22 August 2019, Sri Lanka's Sports Minister confirmed their agreement to play a three-match ODI series in Pakistan in October, but ruled out playing any Test matches.[29][30]
On 9 September 2019, Sri Lanka Cricket met with players who were selected in a preliminary squad for the tour, to confirm with each individual if they would travel or not to Pakistan.[31][32] Dinesh Chandimal, Akila Dananjaya, Niroshan Dickwella, Dimuth Karunaratne, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva all confirmed that they would not be going to Pakistan for the tour.[33] Two days later, on the day that Sri Lanka named the squads to tour Pakistan, Sri Lanka's government received information on a possible terrorist threat on the team.[34] Sri Lanka Cricket conducted a reassessment prior to the tour starting.[35] The PCB ruled out moving the fixtures to a neutral venue.[36] Ehsan Mani, chairman of the PCB, stated that "we don't have the time to shift or lookout for any other option right now", reiterating that the PCB's default position of playing the matches in Pakistan.[37] On 19 September 2019, Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that the tour would go ahead as planned.[38][39] Two days later, the PCB appointed all the match officials for the tour.[40]
In October 2019, the PCB proposed hosting the two Test matches in Pakistan, instead of the UAE, at venues in Rawalpindi and Karachi.[41] Sri Lanka Cricket said that they were "very positive" with regards to the progress of playing Test cricket in Pakistan.[42] In November 2019, the PCB confirmed the dates and venues for the Test series.[43] As a result of the Test series being agreed, the PCB moved the dates of the final of the 2019–20 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy to accommodate the international fixtures.[44] In November 2019, Sri Lanka named a full-strength squad for the Test matches, with only one change from their previous Test series, which was against New Zealand in August 2019.[45] Early the following month, the International Cricket Council (ICC) appointed the match officials for the Test series.[46] Pakistan confirmed their Test squad four days ahead of the first match.[47] Fawad Alam was recalled to Pakistan's squad, after last playing a Test for the team in November and December 2009, against New Zealand.[48] The Sri Lankan Test squad arrived in Pakistan on 9 December 2019.[49] No cricketer from either team had previously played Test cricket in Pakistan.[50]
Summary
Limited-overs matches
The first ODI match at the National Stadium in Karachi was abandoned due to rain.[51] It was the first time that an ODI match at the venue had been washed out.[52] As a result, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) rescheduled the second ODI match, moving it back one day to 30 September 2019, to allow the groundstaff more time to prepare the outfield.[53] Pakistan won both of the remaining matches to win the ODI series 2–0.[54]
In the T20I series, Sri Lanka won the first match by 64 runs, their first win against Pakistan since December 2013.[55] Sri Lanka also won the second T20I, by a margin of 35 runs, to take an unassailable lead in the series.[56] It was Sri Lanka's first ever series win against Pakistan in a T20I bilateral series.[57] Sri Lanka went on to win the final T20I match by 13 runs, winning the series 3–0.[58] It was the first time in a three-match T20I series that Sri Lanka had won 3–0, and the first time that Pakistan had been whitewashed.[59]
Afterwards, Pakistan's head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq and team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed admitted that losing a series 3–0 to a second-string side had left them with "lots of questions to answer".[60] Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's coach, Rumesh Ratnayake, praised the hospitality and security that the team had received in Pakistan, saying that it is "a message for the whole world", with the hopes other teams would tour Pakistan again.[61]
Test matches
In the first Test match, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat.[62] However, most of the match was affected by the weather, with rain and bad light impacting on the Test. Only 18.2 overs were bowled on day two, 5.2 overs on day three, and no play at all was possible on day four.[63] Early on the fifth and final day, Sri Lanka declared their first innings, after Dhananjaya de Silva had scored his century.[64] Pakistan's Abid Ali and Babar Azam both scored unbeaten hundreds, before the teams shook hands, with the match finishing as a draw.[65] Abid Ali became the first male cricketer to score a century on his Test and ODI debuts.[66]
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat in the second Test. However, they were bowled out for 191 runs inside of 60 overs.[67] Sri Lanka then lost three wickets, ending the first day on 64/3.[68] Sri Lanka were dismissed for 271 runs on day two, with a lead of 80 runs over the hosts.[69] In reply, Shan Masood and Abid Ali made an opening stand of 278 runs, the second-highest partnership for the first wicket for Pakistan in a Test match.[70] Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali and Babar Azam all made centuries, with Pakistan becoming only the second team in Test cricket history to have their top four batsmen to score hundreds.[71] Pakistan eventually declared their innings on 555/3 at lunch on day four.[72] Sri Lanka reached the end of day four with 212 runs, but for the loss of seven wickets.[73] Pakistan only needed 16 balls on the morning of day five to dimiss Sri Lanka, with Naseem Shah taking his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket.[74] Pakistan won the match by 263 runs, taking the two-match series 1–0.[75] Abid Ali was named the player of the match and the player of the series.[76]
It was Pakistan's first series win in Pakistan since beating the West Indies 2–0 in November 2006.[77] It was also Pakistan's first series win in Pakistan against Sri Lanka since their 1–0 win in January 1992.[78]
Squads
Tests | ODIs | T20Is | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pakistan[79] | Sri Lanka[80] | Pakistan[81] | Sri Lanka[82] | Pakistan[83] | Sri Lanka[84] |
Ahead of the Test series, Suranga Lakmal was ruled out of Sri Lanka's squad with dengue fever, with Asitha Fernando named as his replacement.[85]
ODI series
1st ODI
2nd ODI
v |
||
- Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.
3rd ODI
T20I series
1st T20I
v |
||
- Pakistan won the toss and elected to field.
- Minod Bhanuka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (SL) both made their T20I debuts.
- Dasun Shanaka captained Sri Lanka for the first time in T20Is.[86]
- Mohammad Hasnain became the youngest bowler, the second for Pakistan, and ninth overall, to take a hat-trick in T20Is (19 years 183 days).[87][88]
2nd T20I
v |
||
- Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat.
3rd T20I
Test series
1st Test
11–15 December 2019 Scorecard |
v |
||
- Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat.
- Only 18.2 overs and 5.2 overs of play was possible on days 2 and 3 respectively due to rain and bad light.
- No play was possible on day 4 due to a wet outfield.
- Abid Ali and Usman Shinwari (Pak) both made their Test debuts.
- Abid Ali (Pak) scored his first century in Tests, and became the first male cricketer to score a century on debut in ODIs and Tests.[89]
- World Test Championship points: Pakistan 20, Sri Lanka 20.
2nd Test
19–23 December 2019 Scorecard |
v |
||
- Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.
- Shaheen Afridi (Pak) took his first five-wicket haul in Tests.[90]
- Abid Ali became the first batsman for Pakistan to score hundreds in each of his first two Tests.[91]
- Shan Masood (Pak) scored his 1,000th run in Tests.[92]
- This was the first time that the top four batsmen for Pakistan all scored centuries in the same innings in Tests.[93]
- Oshada Fernando (SL) scored his first century in Tests.[94]
- Naseem Shah (Pak) took his first five-wicket haul in Tests,[95] and at the age of 16 years and 307 days, he became the youngest fast bowler to take a five-wicket haul in Tests.[96]
- World Test Championship points: Pakistan 60, Sri Lanka 0.
References
- "Sri Lanka to tour Pakistan for limited-overs series in September - Here's complete schedule". Times Now News. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- "PCB and SLC announce schedule of upcoming matches". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- "PCB and SLC announce schedule of upcoming matches". Sri Lanka Cricket. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- "Sri Lanka confirm tour of Pakistan". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- "Sri Lanka to tour Pakistan for limited-overs series". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- "'The doubt has been taken out now' - SL coach Rumesh Ratnayake on touring Pakistan". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
- "Ten Sri Lanka players opt out of tour of Pakistan due to security concerns". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
- "Thirimanne, Shanaka to lead Sri Lanka in Pakistan". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
- "Sarfaraz Ahmed retained as Pakistan captain, Babar Azam made vice-captain". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- "Sarfaraz Ahmed retained Pakistan captain; Babar Azam appointed vice-captain". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- "'Leading Pakistan in front of home crowds will be a career highlight' – Sarfaraz Ahmed". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
- "Pakistan to host Sri Lanka for two-Test series in December". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
- "Schedule for inaugural World Test Championship announced". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
- "Men's Future Tours Programme" (PDF). International Cricket Council. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- "Pakistan announce WTC schedule against England". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- "Test cricket set to return to Pakistan after 10 years". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
- "Abid Ali, Babar Azam provide rousing finish to dank Test". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- "Abid Ali scores maiden ton as Pakistan, Sri Lanka Test heads for draw". Geo TV. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- "'Pakistan is now safe for cricket' - Dimuth Karunaratne". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- "Naseem Shah completes five-for as Pakistan seal series 1-0". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- "Pakistan v Sri Lanka: Azhar Ali thanks visitors". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- "PCB offer to host SL for Test series in Pakistan". CricBuzz. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
- "PCB makes contact with Sri Lanka with a view to moving Test series to Pakistan". Dawn. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
- "Sri Lanka Cricket considers touring Pakistan, security expert to be sent to assess situation". Island Cricket. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
- "Sri Lanka likely to play Test in Pakistan: Reports". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
- "Sri Lankan security delegation to decide on Test series in Pakistan". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
- "Sri Lanka Cricket security delegation to visit Pakistan this week". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
- "Sri Lanka mull playing Test cricket in Pakistan". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
- "Sri Lanka will tour Pakistan after two-year gap to play ODIs and T20Is, informs SL sports minister". Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
- "Sri Lanka to play ODIs in Pakistan". The Papare. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- "SLC statement on the tour of Pakistan". Sri Lanka Cricket. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
- "Karunaratne, Malinga among Sri Lanka players to withdraw from Pakistan tour". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
- "Malinga, Mathews, Karunaratne among ten players to pull out of Pakistan tour". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
- "Sri Lanka Cricket to reassess security in Pakistan after terror threat". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
- "Possible terrorist threat on the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan". The Papare. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
- "PCB rules out shifting Sri Lanka home series to neutral venue". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- "'Pakistan not exploring neutral venue' - Ehsan Mani confident of hosting Sri Lanka". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- "Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan to go ahead as planned". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- "Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan to go ahead as planned". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- "David Boon appointed match referee for Pakistan v Sri Lanka series". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
- "PCB propose Rawalpindi and Karachi as venues for Sri Lanka Test series". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- "SLC 'very positive' about touring Pakistan in December". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- "Pakistan to play Sri Lanka Tests in front of home crowds". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
- "Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final to be played from 27 December". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
- "Sri Lanka announce 16-man squad for historic Test tour of Pakistan". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
- "ICC appoints match officials for Pakistan v Sri Lanka Test series". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
- "Fawad Alam's decade-long exile ends as Misbah announces squad for Sri Lanka series". Geo TV. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
- "Pakistan pick Fawad Alam for Sri Lanka Tests". Samaa. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
- "Sri Lanka arrive in Pakistan for first Test series since 2009 attack". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- "Test cricket is back in Pakistan, but it's more than a feel-good narrative". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- "Rain ruins tour opener in Karachi". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
- "ODI cricket's return to Pakistan ruined by rain". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
- "Second ODI rescheduled for Monday". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
- "Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in third ODI, clinch series 2-0". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- "Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in a T20I after almost 6 years". The Papare. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
- "Rajapaksa blitz helps Sri Lanka seal series in Lahore". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
- "Bhanuka Rajapaksa 77 helps Sri Lanka secure first-ever series win vs Pakistan". India Today. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
- "Oshada blitz helps Sri Lanka seal T20I clean sweep over Pakistan". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
- "Oshada Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga the stars as Sri Lanka whitewash Pakistan". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
- "Pakistan left with 'lots of questions to answer' - Misbah-ul-Haq". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
- "Pakistan tour 'a message for the whole world', says Sri Lanka coach". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
- "Pakistan v Sri Lanka: Naseem Shah impresses on opening day". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- "Why the PCB had to pick Rawalpindi to host Sri Lanka". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- "Dhananjaya de Silva rates Rawalpindi hundred his second best in Tests". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- "Abid Ali, Babar Azam hundreds light up final day of Pakistan-Sri Lanka draw". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- "Abid Ali creates history as Rawalpindi Test ends in draw". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- "Pakistan hit back with early strikes after posting 191 in first innings". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- "Sri Lanka struggle after Pakistan collapse on eventful day". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- "Pakistan off to solid start after Sri Lanka take 80-run lead". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- "Monumental opening stand puts Pakistan in firm control". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- "Pakistan v Sri Lanka: Hosts' top four all score centuries to close on second Test win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- "Comprehensive Pakistan close in on win in Karachi Test". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- "Pakistan on brink of victory after commanding four-day performance". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- "Naseem Shah's maiden five-wicket haul leads Pakistan to 263-run win". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- "Naseem Shah takes five as Pakistan clinch series". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- "Pakistan earn first Test series victory on home soil in 13 years". The Cricketer. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- "Sixteen-year-old Shah bowls Pakistan to first home Test series win since 2006". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- "Pakistan seal triumphant Test cricket return with Sri Lanka win". France24. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- "Fawad Alam returns to Pakistan's Test squad for Sri Lanka series". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
- "Mathews, Chandimal to tour Pakistan as Sri Lanka name full-strength Test squad". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
- "Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka ODIs announced". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
- "Sri Lanka ODI and T20I Squads for Pakistan tour". Sri Lanka Cricket. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
- "Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka T20Is announced". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
- "Thirimanne and Shanaka to lead Sri Lanka in Pakistan". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
- "Suranga Lakmal out of Sri Lanka's tour of Pakistan with dengue". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- "A test for Sri Lanka's next gen as Pakistan look to re-establish their T20I credentials". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
- "Pakistan pacer Mohammad Hasnain youngest to claim hat-trick in T20Is". India TV. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
- "Depleted Sri Lanka shock Pakistan despite Hasnain hat-trick". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
- "Pak vs SL: Abid Ali creates history in Rawalpindi Test". The News International. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- "Shaheen Afridi and Dinesh Chandimal star on day of fluctuating fortunes". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- "Abid Ali and Shan Masood rewrite record books". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- "Monumental opening stand puts Pakistan in firm control". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- "Centuries for top four batsmen - Pakistan's rare feat in Karachi". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
- "Pakistan sniff series victory despite Fernando fightback". Eurosport. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
- "Naseem Shah becomes youngest pace bowler to claim five-wicket-haul in Test cricket history". News Australia. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- "Record-breaker Naseem leads Pakistan to victory". Cricket Australia. Retrieved 23 December 2019.