Pakistan and Sri Lanka start with wins in Canadian T20 by Eddie Norfolk

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Scorecard:	Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, Canada v Pakistan
Event:	Al Barakah T20 Canada 2008/09

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DateLine: 12th October 2008

 

Pakistan and Sri Lanka both won on the opening day of the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend T20 cricket tournament at King City, Ontario. Pakistan beat hosts Canada by 35 runs, after Sri Lanka opened the event with a 5 wicket win over Zimbabwe. Play resumes on Saturday with Canada taking on Zimbabwe (9.30 am) followed by the key match-up between the two top-ranked teams: Pakistan versus Sri Lanka.

 

 

Wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu was the backbone of Zimbwe’s 106 for 8 in 17 overs; the match being reduced to 17 overs due to a damp outfield. He made 45 not out off 47 balls. Sri Lankan openers Tillakaratne Dilshan, 33 runs from 37 balls, and Mahlea Udawatte, 25 runs from 15 balls, made a good start, but spinner Ray Price hit back with 2 wickets for a mere 9 runs in 4 overs. But a minor slump ended with a sound, unbroken partnership for the sixth wicket that saw Sri Lanka to victory with one over to spare.

 

 

Canadian umpire Karran Bayney, from Manitoba, made his T20 international debut in this match. Mark Benson (England) is also umpiring this event.

 

 

Salman Butt lead the way for Pakistan, striking 74 runs from 56 balls (6 x 4’s, 3 x 6’s) against Canada. Younis Khan, 13, and Miabah-ul-Haq, 17, gave support as Pakistan reached 137 for 7 in 20 overs. Harvir Baidwan took 3 wickets for 15 runs in 3 overs and Umar Bhatti 3 for 23 in 4 overs.

 

 

Rizwan Cheema continued a good run in international cricket, scoring 35, joining with Ramesh David to add 52 for the third wicket. David was out for 17 and Cheema’s innings ended to leave Canada 71 for 5 wickets. Sunil Dhaniram notched 17 runs, but Canada was unable to overcome the Pakistani bowlers top flight experience and lost by 35 runs.