Sanath Jayasuriya continued his assault on the record books, and bowlers, with the fastest-ever one-day half-century in the Singer Cup final in Singapore yesterday only for his Sri Lankan team to toss away victory.
Just five days after setting a host of one-day records in the round-robin match against Pakistan, he was at it again as he raced to 50 off a a mere 17 balls but, chasing Pakistan's 215, Sri Lanka collapsed to 172 all out.
The opener's astounding form continued with a fearsome 76 runs off just 28 balls that included five sixes and eight boundaries. Jayasuriya, who set the world record for the fastest century against Pakistan last week, surpassed the Australian Simon O'Donnell's 50 in 18 balls against New Zealand in 1990.
His partnership with Romesh Kaluwitharana was one only in the strictest definition of the term. When Kaluwitharana was bowled without scoring in the sixth over Jayasuriya had already scored 67. Add three extras, and the stand was an amazing 70.
His colleagues could not follow his rapid example and Sri Lanka lost eight wickets for 76 runs with the last three wickets falling in the 33rd over.
In one of the great understatements of the sporting year so far the Pakistan captain, Aamer Sohail, said: "I had the feeling that once we got Jayasuriya out, it would not be too difficult."
SINGER CUP Final (Singapore): Pakistan 215 (Ijaz Ahmed 51), Sri Lanka 172 (S T Jayasuriya 76). Pakistan won by 43 runs.
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