Medium-pacer Hasan Ali finished with career-best figures to anchored Pakistan to a seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first Twenty20 here on Thursday.
Hasan, who took 14 wickets in Pakistan’s preceding 5-0 whitewash of the one-day series, took three for 23 in 3.3 overs as Pakistan skittled Sri Lanka out for a paltry 102 in 18.3 overs. Mohammad Hafeez (two for 10) and pacer Usman Shinwari (two for 24) supplemented Hasan to the best effect.
Only Seekkuge Prasanna (23 not out) and debutant Sadeera Samarawickrama (23) put some resistance against a varied Pakistan bowling attack.
Pakistan did lose three wickets but was seen through to the target by Shoaib Malik (42 n.o., 31b, 4x4) and Mohammad Hafeez (25 n.o., 23 b, 3x4) with 16 balls to spare.
The scores: Sri Lanka 102 in 18.3 overs (Hasan Ali three for 23, Mohammad Hafeez two for 10, Usman Shinwari two for 24) lost to Pakistan 103 for three in 17.2 overs (Shoaib Malik 42 n.o., Mohd. Hafeez 25 n.o., Vikum Sanjaya two for 20).