T20 Match Between India and Sri Lanka

19.2 Lasith Malinga to IK Pathan, SIX, What a way to finish! Meaty length ball on leg stump and he dismisses that into the stands over midwicket. This was the commentary after Irfan Pathan hit a mighty six to end the T20 match between India and Sri Lanka giving India the pleasure of achieving a victory. This match took place on 10 Feb 09.

The Indian team consisted of all the young players and a debutant. Sri lanka won the toss and chose to bat. They played really well. Opener Sanath Jayasuriya(33 of 17) provided a good momentum and opener Tilkaratne Dilshan(61 of 47) provided a good foundation.

Both got out and after that the rest of the batsmen made quick but few runs to take the score to 171 for four in 20 overs. Five out of the six batsmen had a strike rate of over hundred. The Indian bowling performance was not so good because only Yusuf Pathan was able to grab two wickets with an economy rate of 5.75. The rest of the bowlers were very expensive and some were wicketless.

The Indians were facing a huge challange. They tried to do their best but their innings took a shake start. Both Gambhir and sehwag fell cheaply and India were 14 for two. Then Suresh Raina (35 of 27) and Yuvraj Singh (32 of 21) provided a solid partnership of 67 runs to take the indian score to 81 in eight overs.

But after their departure Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and Ravinder Jadeja fell cheaply and India were 115 for seven in 15.1 overs. The burden of making 57 runs of just 29 balls was placed on the shoulders of the Pathan brothers Irfan and Yusuf.

All the viewers thought India would lose the match. The Sri Lankan bowler Malinga Bandara had already done a lot of damage. But Yusuf Pathan(22 of 10) and Irfan Pathan(33 of 16) provided a quick and solid 59 run partnership to take India past a difficult score of 57.

Yusuf Pathan took a little time to settler down but then smashed two sixes and a four of Malinga Bandara to take India's score to 132 for 7 in 16 overs. But Irfan Pathan didn't take time to settle down at all. He just smashed two fours and two sixes to take India to a score of 174 in 19.2 overs and gave them a great chunk of happiness for winning the match.