Update: ****Pakistan defeat World XI by 33 runs to clinch the Independence Cup. Sarfraz Ahmed’s golden run continues, after the Champions Trophy, he has won his first series at home as captain. Report, 2nd T20I: Hashim Amla smashed a half century and Thisara Perera provided an excellent finish with a 19-ball 47 as World XI defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the second Twenty20 international on Wednesday. “Hash (Amla) told me to stay till the last moment because we can catch up,” man-of-the-match Perera said. “It’s a habit for me to be in this situation.” Amla hit five fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 72 off 55 balls, but it was Perera’s explosive knock which included four sixes that got World XI to the target of 175-3 in 19.5 overs. Pakistan, which was restricted to 174-6, looked on top in the 14th over when it dismissed captain Faf du Plessis for 106-3. [caption id="" align=“alignleft” width=“380”] World XI captain Faf du Plessis and Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed. Image courtesy: Twitter @ICC[/caption] But Perera took charge in the last five overs as he cut loose against Pakistan seamers Shoaib Malik and Rumman Raees. Still needing 33 runs off the last two overs, Perera and Amla took 20 off Sohail’s 19th over that saw Shoaib Malik dropping the Sri Lankan left-hander’s easy catch at long off. Perera ensured World XI takes the series to the decisive game Friday when he reached victory in style by hoisting left-armer Raees over the long-on boundary. Pakistan won the first match by 20 runs on Tuesday but struggled to contain World XI’s strong batting line-up after its frontline fast bowler Hasan Ali was ruled out of Wednesday’s game due to back strain. Earlier, Pakistan’s top order batsmen couldn’t convert good starts after captain Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and opted to bat first. Left-hander Fakhar Zaman (21) hit Australian seamer Ben Cutting for three boundaries in the second over of the innings but was trapped leg before wicket by West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree (2-31). Badree was one of two changes made by World XI along with England’s Paul Collingwood — playing his first international since retiring in 2011. Top-scorer Babar Zaman (45), who hit a career-best 86 in the first game on Tuesday, and Ahmed Shehzad (43) added 59 runs off 39 balls before both holed out in the deep while looking to accelerate the run rate. Perera then accounted for the wickets of Imad Wasim (15) and dismissed captain Sarfraz Ahmed without scoring in the 19th over as Pakistan slipped to 157-5. Pakistan’s experienced batsman Malik (39) lifted the total when he hit Cutting for two sixes in his 23-ball knock. Malik, playing in his 88th T20 international, became Pakistan’s highest scorer in the format and surpassed Umar Akmal’s total of 1,690 runs before he holed out off the last ball. “We were a little sloppy today in the field,” Ahmed said. “The score was good enough, but if the execution was better in defending, we would have pulled it off.” With inputs from AP
Highlights, cricket result, Pakistan vs World XI, 3rd T20I at Lahore: Sarfraz's men clinch Independence Cup
Pakistan defeat World XI by 33 runs to clinch the Independence Cup. Sarfraz Ahmed’s golden run continues, after the Champions Trophy, he has won his first series at home as captain.
 "Highlights, cricket result, Pakistan vs World XI, 3rd T20I at Lahore: Sarfraz's men clinch Independence Cup")
Ahmed Shehzad is the player of the match.
Shehzad: I was playing to the situation like the team required. I was maybe due some big runs and had a very good partnership. I failed to score runs in the first two games. So, I decided to stay till the end, thinking if others can do it, even I can. I hope take it forward. I would like to thank mickey Arthur and the coaching staff who have been through thick and thin. They showed their faith and trust in me when I didn’t score runs.I would like to thank the crowd and the World XI. Many of them want to come back. Everyone enjoyed and cricket wins.
The World XI team appreciating the support and gratitude they received from the Lahore crowd throughout the series.
Image courtesy: Hassam Azam
After 19 overs,World XI 145/8 ( Darren Sammy 19 , Samuel Badree 0)
Sammy, barring the four, has failed to connect any thing cleanly. He played three dots and collected a single. He refuses to rotate the strike on the final delivery.
After 18 overs,World XI 140/8 ( Darren Sammy 14 , Samuel Badree 0)
Usman Shinwari has completed his spell. His figures: 4-0-26-1. World XI need 43 in 12 balls.
After 17 overs,World XI 137/7 ( Darren Sammy 12 , )
Another 9-run over. Match has slipped out of World XI’s hands after the Miller wicket.
After 16 overs,World XI 128/6 ( David Miller 31 , Darren Sammy 4)
Okay, 65 off 30. World XI need a big over. Nope not happening. Just singles and the odd couple. Oh hold on, Miller scores a boundary. But it is still not enough. Nine runs off the over.
After 15 overs,World XI 119/6 ( David Miller 25 , Darren Sammy 2)
72 off 36. 12 runs per over. Difficult but it is a matter of two overs. Both Miller and Sammy are capable of inflicting some lusty blows. The over, however, begins quietly. Two singles, brace, wide and a single. Can Sammy hit a big one? No, he can’t because Usman bowls a brilliant yorker. All Sammy can manage is a dig towards covers. Shenwari follows it up with another good delivery. Keeps the over down to seven runs.
After 14 overs,World XI 112/6 ( David Miller 21 , )
Raees is into the attack. Makes a decent start. Concedes three singles and bowls a dot. Thisara then slashes him for a boundary and Rumman avenges it by dismissing him.
After 13 overs,World XI 105/5 ( David Miller 19 , Thisara Perera 27)
The 24-run over has brought the equation down to 79 off 42 balls. With Miller and Thisara at the strike, this match is live. Do not go anywhere. Thisara’s strike rate is 300! If that doesn’t keep you hooked, I don’t know what will!
After 12 overs,World XI 81/5 ( David Miller 18 , Thisara Perera 4)
Sarfraz brings back Hasan into the attack. One wicket here and it could be game. But both the batsmen are taking it deep, not taking undue risks. After milking four singles, Miller flicks it to midwicket fence.
After 11 overs,World XI 73/5 ( David Miller 12 , Thisara Perera 2)
Shadab appeals for an LBW against Miller on the first ball. But the umpire is unmoved, think it was going down the leg side. On ball two, Miller drills it to long off for a single. The next four balls go for four more singles. The equation is now 111 runs off 54 balls.
After 10 overs,World XI 68/5 ( David Miller 9 , Thisara Perera 0)
Imad bowls it flat and around leg, Faf works it to midwicket for a run. Miller edges one to short third man, no run taken. Miller releases some pressure with a maximum. There you go, after running Amla out, Faf falls to a Shadab direct hit. Ten runs off the over.
After 9 overs,World XI 58/4 ( Faf du Plessis (C) 12 , David Miller 2)
Shadab Khan enters the attack to bowl his leg breaks. He tosses it up straightaway and du Plessis nurdles a single. Miller sweeps the 3rd ball to deep midwicket. du Plessis follows suit. A good tight over from the leggie.
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