Where the first T20I was dominated by Pakistan, World XI made a stunning comeback in the next game to stay alive in the series. It was the kind of T20 match that the fans want to see although not the Pakistani fans. It had everything – wickets, runs, tension and a nail-biting finish to script a perfect game.
Initially, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first. The openers Fakhar Zaman and Ahmed Shehzad went on the offensive from the outset and struck some lusty blows. Zaman was removed by Samuel Badree at the score of 41. Shehzad and yesterday’s Man of the Match Babar Azam stitched together a solid stand.
The duo added 59 runs for the 2nd wicket and brought stability to the innings. But both missed out on half-centuries and got out in the 40s. A few quick wickets swung back the momentum in favor of the hosts and it seemed as if the platform for a big score was wasted but Shoaib Malik’s cameo of 39 off 23 balls helped them get to 174/6 at the end of 20 overs.
In reply, the World XI openers Tamim Iqbal and Hashim Amla started off on a positive note and took the score to 41 after 4 overs. Tamim’s dismissal in the 6th over applied breaks to the scoring and the No.3 batsman Tim Paine struggled to gather quick runs. Amla was holding the fort with a classy knock but he lost another partner in the 10th over.
The skipper Faf du Plessis came in and hammered a couple of sixes but just when he threatened to run away with the game, Mohammad Nawaz removed him in the 14th over. Needing 69 off the last 6 overs was a tough task for the visitors. But they had hopes with Amla around and Thisara Perera joining him in the middle.
Perera took the matters into his own hands and sent the bowlers out of the park regularly to churn off the required runs. He smashed 47 off just 19 balls and a six off the penultimate delivery saw the team past the line. Amla remained unbeaten at 72 off 55 balls as the World XI side won by 7 wickets.
Here are some of the tweets that appeared during the course of the match
Thisara Perera blasts away and Hashim Amla anchors as World XI level series with a thrilling winhttps://t.co/wHWiWKzyYx #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/1YotPvZyar
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 13, 2017
Finally an international victory for World XI after losing five intls in a row.
This win coming after 12 years, 8 months, 3 days!#PakvWXI— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 13, 2017
So good to hear @AliZafarsays song from @thePSLt20 in Lahore right now for the #PAKvWXI here in the UK! #AliZafar #SingingPartner #PSL
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) September 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/CricketUrdu/status/908029332081311749
What an innings by @PereraThisara to square the series. 47 not out off 19 balls with 5 sixes and just one dot ball. #PAKvWXI
— MariaYounas (@MariaYounas7) September 13, 2017
Did World XI win or did Pakistan lose due to the full tosses? #PAKvWXI Nevertheless, that's the kind of finish cricket needed
— Shubham Khare (@shubhamkhare71) September 13, 2017
Mickey Arthur "For the Pakistan players to have achieved what they have playing away from home is astronomical" #PAKvWXI #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) September 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/Nibrazcricket/status/907893828220329985
Well played world 11 👍,What an exciting finish by @PereraThisara & @amlahash well fought by team Pakistan 👍,never mind & come hard on Friday
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) September 13, 2017
Blistering knock by Thisara Perera keeps World Xl alive. Sri Lanka would so dearly want him to do this more regularly for the national team
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 13, 2017
Congratulations #WorldXI
Wonderfully played @amlahash and a great allround performance by Parera. Hard luck #teampak
Decider still remains.— Junaid khan (@JunaidkhanREAL) September 13, 2017
