Sri Lanka defeat Pakistan in Hong Kong Sixes final

HONG KONG (Agencies): Sri Lanka on Sunday defeated Pakistan in the Hong Kong Super Sixes final. Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field first against Pakistan.  Dhananjaya Lakshan returned brilliant bowling figures of 2-6 as Sri Lanka bowled out Pakistan on a modest 72 at Mission Road Ground. Sri Lanka chased down the modest 73-run target for the loss of three wickets and six balls to spare. Skipper Faheem Ashraf drew the much-needed breakthrough for Pakistan in the fourth over by dismissing set batter Weerakkody, who top-scored with a 13-ball 34. Pakistan then struck twice in quick succession and had reduced Sri Lanka to 59-3 in 4.2 overs but Tharindu Rathnayake played a gutsy 16-run knock under pressure and took his side over the line in the penultimate over.  For Pakistan, Hussain Talat and Faheem could pick up a wicket apiece. Earlier in the semi-final, skipper Faheem Ashraf’s all-round brilliance powered Pakistan to beat Australia and qualify for the final. Put into bat first, Australia notched a commendable total of 107-1 in the allotted six overs. Opening batters Sam Heazlett and Jack Wood gave Australia a steady start by putting together a dominant 56-run partnership. The duo appeared to have settled down until Faheem breached Wood’s defence and cleaned him up in the fourth over. Wood struck four fours and two sixes on his way to a 17-ball 36.