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Pallekele: Virat Kohli’s fine half-century and Irfan Pathan’s opening spell helped India beat Sri Lanka by 39 runs in the one-off Twenty20 International played here on Tuesday.
Riding on Kohli’s well-crafted 68, the Indians managed to put up a respectable 155/3. In reply, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 116 in 18 overs, largely due to Pathan (3/27) and career-best effort of four for 19 by Ashok Dinda.
Pathan bowled a fine opening spell as he dismissed Tillekaratne Dilshan (0), Upul Tharanga (5) and the dangerous Mahela Jayawardene (26, 5×4) during his first spell of three overs. If Pathan ran through the top-order, Dinda cleaned up the lower order, taking the last three wickets without conceding a run.
Pathan was also named Man-of-the-Match, capping a successful tour for the all-rounder.
Aided by condition that helped seamers, Pathan repeatedly swung the ball back into the right-handers as he induced Dilshan into playing across the line and getting him castled in the process.
There was some resistance by the Lankan middle order with Lahiru Thirimanne and Angelo Mathews putting on a good partnership, but the loss of their wickets pretty much spelled the end of the hosts’ chances. (PTI)