DUBAI: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by three wickets in the first Twenty20 international in a thrilling finish at Dubai stadium on Wednesday.
Shahid Afridi was the hero for Pakistan, scoring an unbeaten 20-ball 39, hitting the winning six off the last ball of the final over to give Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
In all Afridi hit three sixes and two boundaries to help Pakistan overcome a tough challenge from world number one Sri Lanka who had taken the match to the final over with Pakistan needing six runs.
Earlier, after being put into bat by Pakistan Captain Mohammad Hafeez Sri Lanka managed to score 145 runs for the loss of five wickets in the allotted 20 overs, setting a target of 146 runs to win for Pakistan.
Angelo Mathews was the highest scorer for Sri Lanka, he scored 50 runs off just 34 balls.
Sohail Tanvir and Saeed Ajmal were the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, they took two wickets each for 34 and 35 runs respectively.
Earlier, Captain Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and put Sri lanka into bat in the first Twenty20 international in Dubai on Wednesday.
