Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Sri Lanka set a target of 289 runs for Pakistan in the second One-Day International (ODI) in Rawalpindi on Friday.
Sri Lanka put 288 for eight on the board, recovering well after a shaky middle passage thanks to Janith Liyanage’s steady half-century and helpful knocks from Kamindu Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama.
Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka scored 288 for the loss of 8 wickets. The visitors made a bright start and moved to 50 without losing a wicket in the first 10 overs.
But Pakistan struck soon after when the 51-run opening stand was broken by a sharp run-out, with Pathum Nissanka falling for 24 following quick reactions from Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr.
The momentum shifted again when Abrar Ahmed removed Kamil Mishara for 27, leaving Sri Lanka 62 for two in the 14th over.
Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama managed a small 28-run partnership before Abrar sparked more trouble. The leg-spinner took wickets off back-to-back overs, sending Mendis back for 20 and dismissing captain Charith Asalanka for six, pushing Sri Lanka down to 98 for four by the 22nd over.
Samarawickrama then joined Janith Liyanage to pull the innings together with a 61-run stand that steadied the side. Samarawickrama, who looked in good touch, was bowled by Haris Rauf for 42 with the score on 159, leaving Liyanage to keep the innings moving. He did exactly that, pairing with Kamindu Mendis to rebuild once again. Kamindu added a valuable 44, while Liyanage reached a composed 54 before getting out.
Sri Lanka were 244 for eight in the 45th over when Wanindu Hasaranga and Pramod Madushan stepped up with a timely 44-run partnership for the ninth wicket, ensuring the total finished on a competitive note.
For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed was the standout with three for 41, while Haris Rauf also grabbed three wickets but for 66 runs. Mohammad Wasim Jr chipped in with one wicket.
Teams
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha (c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, and Asitha Fernando.