England, Pakistan Win Warm-Up Matches
David Willey takes a hat-trick for MCA XI, but his original team still wins
Pakistan limbered up for the ICC World Twenty20 2016 with a 15-run win against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday (March 14).
Opting to bat first, Pakistan made 157 for 5 from its 20-over quota with Mohammad Hafeez coming through with a 49-ball 70. In response, for Sri Lanka, Dinesh Chandimal (30) and Lahiru Thirimanne (45) spent some time in the middle, but Imad Wasim, the left-arm spinner, scalped them both and finished with two more to return figures of 4-0-25-4.
Wasim’s spell, aided by Mohammad Irfan’s stingy 2-18 from four overs, helped Pakistan reduce Sri Lanka to 142 for 9. Pakistan faces Bangladesh in what will be an intense opener at the same venue on March 16, while Sri Lanka takes on Afghanistan on March 17.
Over at the Brabourne Stadium, Jay Bista showcased his ability with a 37-ball 51 which nearly helped Mumbai Cricket Association XI overhaul England’s total of 177.
Batting first, England benefitted from a quickfire 48 from Joe Root and fiery cameos from Jason Roy (32), Alex Hales (37) and Ben Stokes (30) to reach 177 for 8 from 20 overs. David Willey then took centrestage, picking up a hat-trick for Mumbai CA, accounting for Joe Root, Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan with the last three balls of the innings. Shardul Thakur and Adil Rashid chipped in with two wickets each.
Mumbai started off with Bista and Shreyas Iyer, but it was the former who took the attack to England. Bista smashed two sixes and five fours en route to his half-century.
Following Iyer’s dismissal for 16, James Vince (45) and Jos Buttler (25) spent some time at the crease before both were bowled by Chris Jordan. The next three batsmen came up with a mere 16 runs to slip out of the race.
Reece Topley and Jordan were the pick of the bowlers for England and finished with figures of 2 for 26 and 2 for 34 respectively.
England’s opening game is on March 16, against West Indies.
