WATCH | Rathnayake breaks Pakistan's heart as briliant knock knocks out rivals

‌Pakistan were suddenly left optimistic of achieving what looked improbable at the start of they day as a 176-run opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman took them to a massive first innings total of 212/8 against Sri Lanka. The side required a victory by 75 runs and the batting effort meant they now needed to restrict the hosts to under 147, a n achievable feat if their bowlers showed up. Everything was going according to the best laid plans, until a certain Pavan Rathnayake decided to near single-handedly break 200 million hearts.

Pakistna struck gold as early as the second over of their defense when Naseem Shah sent the prolific Pathum Nissanka packing for cheap, thereby eliminating the mainstay of the Lankan abtting unit. Abrar Ahmed then added two cherries on top with the scalps of Kamil Mishara and Charith Asalanka in a middle-over spell that seemed to turn the tide in Men in Green's favour, as after nine overs the Lions found themselves at 75/3 . Abrar then ended his spell with the wicket of Kamindu Mendis to get Pakistan firmly beliving, needing to keep their rivals from scoring 51 in the last nine overs with six wickets in hand. However, Rathnayake ensured nothing such happened on his watch as he began cautiously, making his way to 11 at run-a-ball before doubling his score in the next six deliveries. The youngster struck his first maximum of the day against Abrar in th 11th over, and never really looked back therafter. Rathnayake brought up his half-century with two maximums off three balls agianst Shadab Khan in the 15th over, just six deliveries before Sri Lanka passed the magic mark of 147 to send Pakistan crashing out.

Twitterati was full of praise for the Lankan rookie.