Pakistan hold off Sri Lanka charge despite Dasun Shanaka late blitz

Dasun Shanaka gave Sri Lanka hope with three consecutive sixes but failed to score off the final two balls as Pakistan held on for a narrow victory.

The Sri Lanka captain appeared to have turned the match on its head with his explosive hitting in the dying stages.

Shanaka displayed immense power to clear the boundary rope three times in a row, putting the pressure back on the Pakistani attack.

Shanaka’s late fireworks

It left his side requiring runs from the final two deliveries to complete what would have been a remarkable heist.

The right-hander’s blitz seemed to have demoralised the fielding side just as the game reached its conclusion.

However, the momentum shifted wildly once again during the decisive final moments of the contest.

Bowlers hold their nerve

Despite the onslaught, the opposition bowlers executed their plans perfectly at the critical moment.

The all-rounder was unable to make contact on the penultimate delivery, raising the tension for the final ball.

Pakistan eventually closed out the game to deny the Islanders a morale-boosting win.