Dambulla: The second T20I of the three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was canceled at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Friday due to rain.
The weather caused repeated interruptions, preventing the toss from taking place and the match unlikely to continue. Both the teams are now focused on the final clash of the series.
The Green Shirts now lead the series 1-0 after winning the opening match at the same venue on Wednesday. In that match, the visitors successfully chased down a modest target of 129 and won by 6 wickets with 20 balls to spare.
Pakistan got off to a strong start as openers Farhan and Saim Ayub put on 59 runs, before Ayub was dismissed by Mahesh Deekshana on the final delivery of a batting powerplay.
Ayub scored 24 runs off 18 balls including 3 fours and a six.
Farhan added 25 runs for the second wicket with skipper Salman Ali Agha before both bats fell in successive overs, leaving Pakistan at 101/3.
Farhan scored 51 runs off 36 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes while Agha scored 16 runs off 11 balls with 2 fours.
Pakistan lost another wicket when Fakhar Zaman was stumped by Dhananjay de Silva in the 14th over after scoring 5 runs off 10 balls.
With 23 runs still needed, Usman Khan and Shatab Khan settled the chase and formed a match-winning partnership to take Pakistan to victory in the 17th over.
Shadab remained unbeaten on 18 off 12 balls while Usman remained unbeaten on 7.
Vanindu Hazaran, Dushmantha Sameera, Deekshana and De Silva took one wicket each for Sri Lanka.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Agha’s decision to field first paid off as his bowlers were bowled out for 128 in 19.2 overs.
Sri Lanka’s innings got off to a poor start, losing both openers Kamil Mishara (0) and Pathum Nisanga for just 15 inside the powerplay.
Kusal Mendis (14) and Dhananjaya de Silva (10) tried to stabilize the innings, adding 22 runs for the third wicket in quick succession as Sri Lanka were 38/4 in 6.5 overs.
Janith Lienake then scored 40 runs off 31 balls, including 2 fours and a six, before being dismissed by Abrar Ahmed in the 18th over.
Left-arm fast bowler Salman Mirza dismissed captain Dasun Shanaka (12) and Taylor Sameera (0) in the last over.
Mohammad Wasim Jr ended the innings with a catch off the bowling of Mahesh Deekshana in the second ball of the final over.
Abrar Ahmed and Salman Mirza took three wickets each while Shatab Khan and Mohammad Wasim Jr took two wickets each in Pakistan’s bowling.
The third and final match of the series will be played at the same venue on Sunday.