Sri Lanka edged out Australia by eight runs in their second Twenty20 international played under lights at Pallekele International Stadium today. Sri Lanka won the two-match series 2-0.
Electing to bat first, Sri Lanka made a modest 157 for 9 in 20 overs with opener Mahela Jayawardene making a top score of 86 off 63 balls with one six and 12 fours. Kumar Sangakkara chipped in with 24 while the rest of the Lankan batsmen surrendered meekly. Bret Lee and John Hastings captured three wickets each.
Australia looked impressive in their early run chase with their total reading at 71 for no loss after 5.4 overs. But Sri Lanka came back strongly to capture nine wickets with the addition of only 73 runs as Australia ended with 149 for 9 in 20 overs with opener Shane Watson making an explosive 57 off 24 balls. The architect of the Lankan win was spinner Ajantha Mendis who ended up with a record 6 for 16, the best spell in T20 internationals.