TORONTO, Oct. 13 (APP):- Sri Lanka lifted the inaugural Al-Barakah Twenty20 Canada Cup Cricket Championship at Maple Leaf Stadium on Monday in style with five wickets win over Pakistan in the final with Ajantha Mendis and Sanath Jayasuriya leading the way. Sri Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis captured top wickets for 23 runs in four over as Pakistan inserted to bat first, were restricted to 132 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. Sri Lanka after little hiccups in reply romped home for the loss of five wickets with one over to spare. Veteran Jayasuriya set the tune for victory with a dazzling knock of 40 in 34 balls with three 4s and brace of 6s, providing Sri Lanka a flying start of 66 runs in seven overs with fellow opener Mahela Udawatte, who smashed three boundaries and one six his 19 ball knock of 25. Pakistan pace trio of Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir and Umar Gul made a disappointing start with their wayward bowling. Akhtar was smashed for boundary by Jayasuriya and then pulled him for two back to back sixes into the mid wicket stand Gul conceded 17 in his first over. Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik put Pakistan back into the game with three quick wickets. Udawatte beaten in the flight by Afridi and was caught by Shoaib Akhtar at long-off. Malik then bowled Jayasuriya round his legs and picked up the all important wicket of Jayewardene for five. Lankans were slightly under pressure at 94-4 in 14th over. Though Gul clean bowled Weeraretne for 12 with two boundaries to make it 115-5. But Kapugedera made steady undefeated 17 to steer his team to their first triumph against Pakistan in twenty20 international. It was a sweet revenge for the Lankans in front of estimated crowed of 10,000 after they lost their league round match to Pakistan two-days ago due to heroics from skipper Shoaib Malik and Fawad Alam. But this time Pakistan failed to repeat their magic with the return of Captain Mahela Jayawardene and Mendis. CEO of Al-Barakah Imran Khan and Pakistan High Commissioner in Canada Moosa Chohan presented the glittering golden trophy to Sri Lankan Captain Jayawardene with cash prize of Canadian$60,000 while Shoaib Malik collected C$30,000. Man of the final Jayasuriya got the brand new Ford Focus Car key from Zakir Bhay. Man of the series Ajantha Mendis got apartment key in Ajman. Earlier southpaw opener Salman Butt held Pakistan innings together with an enterprising 44 off 41 balls laced with four boundaries and one six. Ajantha Mendis caused the trouble in Pakistan batting ranks With three wickets to end the event with 11 scalps to his credit in the competition.
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