LAHORE, Pakistan: Pakistan coasted to a comfortable 33-run victory against a World XI in their decisive Twenty20 international on Friday to clinch the three-match series 2-1.
Pakistan’s total of 183-4 revolved around a century stand between Ahmed Shehzad (89) and Babar Azam (48) after World XI captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and opted to field first.
The World XI crumbled against Pakistan’s superb ground fielding with three batsmen getting run outs before it was restricted at 150-8.
Fast bowler Hasan Ali returned after missing the second match with a strained back, and took 2-28.
The World XI chase was off-tracked after the experienced Hashim Amla (21) and Du Plessis (13) were both run out, as they lost wickets with regular intervals.
Earlier, Shehzad and Azam added 102 runs off 57 balls for the second-wicket stand after Fakhar Zaman (27) provided Pakistan a brisk start of 61 in front of a big crowd at the 25,000 capacity Qaddafi Stadium.
Shehzad, who hit eight fours in his 55-ball knock, upped the scoring rate in the last three overs when he smashed three successive sixes off Australian seamer Ben Cutting in the 18th over.
However, Shehzad missed out on his second T20 international century when he tried to steal a needless run in the same over and was run out.
Azam, dropped on 22 by South African Imran Tahir at fine leg, also missed his second half century of the series when he holed out after scoring 48 off 31 balls with five boundaries.
Shoaib Malik (17) provided an ideal finish to the innings with two sixes as Pakistan scored 107 runs in the last 10 overs.
The World XI stumbled in its reply to 5-67 by the 10th over. Tamim Iqbal (14) struck three boundaries before he was clean bowled off left-arm seamer Usman Shinwari.
Ben Cutting and Amla both fell in Ali’s first over before former Australia captain George Bailey and Du Plessis also departed.
Thisara Perera and David Miller both scored 32 runs each to reduce the margin of defeat.
Perera, whose whirlwind 47 leveled the series on Wednesday, struck three successive sixes off leg-spinner Shadab Khan, before falling to a well-judged catch by Azam.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had organized the series in collaboration with the ICC in a bid to revive international cricket at home after eight years.
Pakistan beats World XI in T20 decider to win the series 2-1
Pakistan beats World XI in T20 decider to win the series 2-1
Al-Hilal win to cut Al-Nassr’s lead at the top to two points
- Reigning champions Al- Ittihad beat Neom 3-1 to end the year on a high after difficult title defence
- Leaders dropped their first points of the season on Tuesday after a 2-2 draw against Ettifaq
RIYADH: Al-Hilal have closed the gap on leaders Al-Nassr lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League table to two points after beating Al-Khollod 3-1 on New Year’s Eve.
The win saw Al-Hilal leapfrog Al-Taawoun into second place they now have 29 points from 11 matches, just two behind Al-Nassr, who on Tuesday dropped their first points of the season after a 2-2 draw with Ettifaq.
Al-Hilal took the lead through Sergei Milinkovic-Savic after 45 minutes there was still enough stoppage time for Ramiro Enrique to equalize form the penalty spot. Two second half goals from Theo Hernandez secured a vital three points for Al-Hila.
Earlier in the day reigning SPL champions Al-Itttihad beat hosts Neom 3-1 to go fifth in the table and end the year on n relative high after a difficult defence of their title so far in this campaign.
Roger Fernandes opened the scoring on 14 minutes from Steven Bergwijn’s assist, but Said Benrahma equalized 13 minutes later for teams to go into the break on equal terms.
Second half goals by Bergwijn and Ahmed Al-Ghamdi secured a morale-boosting win for Al-Ittihad.
In Wednesday’s other match, Al-Qadsiah beat hosts Al-Shabab 3-2 to stay fifth in the table.
