Mendis and Shanaka put on an 83-run partnership to take the game to the wire with nine runs needed off Kane Richardson's final over.
Follow Us
Sri Lanka won the fifth and final Twenty20 against Australia by five wickets on Sunday, preventing a series whitewash. Kusal Mendis hit an unbeaten match-winning 69 and skipper Dasun Shanaka blasted 35. The hosts had won their previous four games, three of them convincingly, and when skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and chose to bat, they were looking for a big total. However, they were quickly exposed by some impressive Sri Lankan bowling. Australia struggled to 58 for three in ten overs before late fireworks from Matthew Wade (43 off 27 balls) and Daniel Sams (18 off 15) helped them to a competitive 154-6.
Sri Lanka was up to the challenge because they had nothing to lose. Mendis and Shanaka put on an 83-run partnership to take the game to the wire with nine runs needed off Kane Richardson’s final over, which they got with a ball to spare in a thrilling finish.
Read More – Ranji Trophy: Cheteshwar Pujara smashes 83-ball 91 for Saurashtra against Mumbai
“The boys played really well throughout the series,” said Shanaka. “There was a clear statement that when it comes to the World Cup (in Australia this year) we will be really prepared.”
Early in the run chase, Sri Lanka batted fearlessly, scoring 21 runs in the first three overs. Pathum Nissanka holed out to Glenn Maxwell off Richardson for 13 and debutant Kamil Mishara was run out for one in the same over, so it was a risky approach. Charith Asalanka scored a quickfire 20 before being run out for eight by Janith Liyanage after an inexplicable miscommunication with Mendis, leaving them at 71 for four after nine overs.
Read More – Wasim Akram inducted into PCB Hall of Fame by Sir Vivian Richards
Mendis, on the other hand, was batting beautifully and, with Shanaka’s help, brought up his sixth career half-century off 43 balls to bring the score within 41 runs off the final five overs. With the last over, they were able to close the gap to nine points.
Shanaka hit a two and a six, but was bowled in a dramatic finish before Richardson left with a hamstring injury. Daniel Sams was left to bowl the final two balls, with Chamika Karunaratne scoring the game-winning run.
