Pathan (5/25) sends Lanka crashing to defeat

by Sajeewa JAYAKODY

India warmed up for the forthcoming ICC Twenty20 World Cup by beating Sri Lanka by 26 runs in their practice match played at the P. Sara Oval, Colombo yesterday.

Irfan Pathan, who will be dangerous weapon against any team in the upcoming World Cup, halted the progress of Sri Lanka batsmen when the hosts were chasing the gettable target of 147 and were bowled out for 120.

Earlier, in the innings, Indian batsmen sent Lasith Malinga on a leather hunt as they took 50 runs from his four overs. As Sri Lanka have quality fast bowlers such as Nuwan Kulasekera, Shaminda Eranga, Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera, Sri Lanka can easily pick the best combination against India. But Malinga would be the danger man when Sri Lanka are playing against other countries.

Indian captain MS Dhoni, proving he is a 'great finisher', smashed 55 runs with three sixes and four fours. Rohit Sharma cracked 37 runs in just 26 balls with four fours and a six.

After a heroic battle with cancer, Indian star batsman Yuvraj Singh was out in the field yesterday and he batted scoring two fours before he was caught by Sangakkara off Rangana Herath for 11.

The two Dilshans (Munaweera and Tillekratne) opened the innings for Sri Lanka but were unable to build up a good partnership. Skipper Jayawardena, who batted at number three in the previous warm up match against West Indies came down the order at number eight. Angelo Mathews, who is one of the good finishers in world cricket, came at number four. Sri Lanka should consider sending Lahiru Thirimanne at number five as he can rotate the strike well.

Brief scores:

India: 146/5 (M.S. Dhoni 55 n.o, Rohit Sharma 37, Virendra Sehwag 12, Suresh Raina 12, Yuvraj Singh 11, Nuwan Kulasekera 2/39, Rangana Herath 1/8, Angelo Mathews 1/6).

Sri Lanka: 120 in 19.3 overs (Kumar Sangakkara 32, Jeevan Mendis 26, Lahiru Thirimanne 24, Angelo Mathews 16, Irfan Pathan 5/25, L. Balaji 3/28, Harbajan Singh 1/17, Zahir Khan 1/29).