12.00 AM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:57 06:11 12:27 15:53 18:37 19:51
29 March 2024

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI: Lanka fight back to level series

Published
By Cricket Correspondent and Agencies
 

Dinesh Chandimal hit an unbeaten 48 to guide Sri Lanka to a series-levelling two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second one-day international in Pallekele on Wednesday.

Chasing Pakistan's challenging 287-8, the hosts recovered from 159-5 to post 288-8 with 11 balls to spare in a tense finish to the day-night match.

Chandimal led the fightback by adding 37 for the sixth wicket with Milinda Siriwardana (26), 52 for the seventh with debutant Sachith Pathirana (33) and 37 for the eighth with Thisara Perera.

Perera was eighth out when three more runs were needed for victory, but Lasith Malinga kept his cool amid mounting tension before Chandimal hit the winning run.

Pakistan had won the first match in Dambulla by six wickets last Saturday to take the lead in the five-match series.
Ninth-ranked Pakistan need a series win to stay in contention for a place in the eight-nation Champions Trophy in England in 2017.

Sri Lanka, currently ranked fifth, are assured of taking part in the tournament.

Opener Kusal Perera gave Sri Lanka a rollicking start with a breezy 68 off 25 balls that included 13 boundaries and two sixes.

The left-hander raced to 50 off just 17 balls, just one delivery short of equalling South African AB de Villiers' record for the fastest half-century in 16 balls.

Kusal matched his countryman and idol Sanath Jayasuriya's feat of a 17-ball 50 as he put on 92 for the first wicket with Tillakaratne Dilshan off just 8.2 overs.

Dilshan's 47 carried Sri Lanka to a commanding 140-1 in the 19th over when Pakistan hit back with four wickets for 19 runs, three of them in successive overs in the space of four runs.

Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews said he was relieved to win after his team's sloppy catching that let Pakistan off the hook.

"Both teams made a real game out of it," said Mathews. "Kusal and Dilshan gave a really good start, but I thought Chandimal was brilliant with the way he pulled it through with the others.

"Our terrible display of fielding was embarrassing, to be honest, but we tried to put it behind us when we batted."

Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali said Kusal Perera took the game away from his team at the start.

"I thought we had a decent total on the board, but the first 10 overs were crucial," he said. "It was tough to come back after the way Kusal Perera batted, but I am proud of my team for fighting back.

"When we took five wickets we needed to take some more quickly, but could not. The series is open and I am confident we will come back strongly in the next game."

Pakistan's innings revolved around three half-centuries, including a 52 off 38 balls by Mohammad Rizwan towards the end that boosted the total.

Azhar played a captain's innings of 79 and senior pro Shoaib Malik made a run-a-ball 51, the pair adding 83 for the fourth wicket after the tourists won the toss and elected to bat.

But Rizwan stole the show with five boundaries and a six as the tourists plundered 88 runs in the last 10 overs.

Anwar Ali, who put on 56 for the seventh wicket with Rizwan, returned unbeaten on 29 off 20 balls.

The third match will be played at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo on Sunday.

Scoreboard:

Pakistan:


Azhar Ali c Siriwardana b Dilshan 79
Ahmed Shehzad b Pathirana 30
Mohammad Hafeez c Mathews b Pathirana 9
Babar Azam b Siriwardana 12
Shoaib Malik b Mathews 51
Mohammad Rizwan lbw b Pradeep 52
Sarfraz Ahmed lbw b Malinga 7
Anwar Ali not out 29
Yasir Shah c Siriwardana b Malinga 1
Rahat Ali not out 0
Extras: (b4, lb3, w9, nb1) 17
Total (for eight wickets, 50 overs) 287
Fall of wickets: 1-59 (Shehzad), 2-75 (Hafeez), 3-96 (Azam), 4-179 (Malik), 5-197 (Azhar), 6-217 (Sarfraz), 7-273 (Rizwan), 8-278 (Yasir).
Bowling: Mathews 10-2-36-1, Pradeep 8-1-42-1, T. Perera 2-0-15-0 (w1), Malinga 10-0-64-2 (nb1, w5), Pathirana 9-0-70-2, Siriwardana 5-0-22-1 (w2), Dilshan 6-0-31-1 (w1)

Sri Lanka:


K. Perera c Yasir b Irfan 68
T. Dilshan b Rahat 47
U. Tharanga b Rahat 28
A. Mathews run out 8
L. Thirimanne c Anwar b Rahat 4
D. Chandimal not out 48
M. Siriwardana lbw b Hafeez 26
S. Pathirana st Sarfraz b Hafeez 33
T. Perera c Malik b Anwar 15
L. Malinga not out 2
Extras: (lb2, w7) 9
Total (for eight wickets, 48.1 overs) 288
Fall of wickets: 1-92 (K. Perera), 2-140 (Tharanga), 3-155 (Dilshan), 4-157 (Mathews), 5-159 (Thirimanne), 6-196 (Siriwardana), 7-248 (Pathirana), 8-285 (T. Perera).
Bowling: Irfan 10-0-61-1 (w2), Rahat 9.1-0-73-3 (w3), Hafeez 10-0-61-2 (w1), Anwar 7-0-33-1, Yasir 10-0-51-0 (w1), Malik 2-0-7-0.

Sri Lanka won by two wickets; level five-match series 1-1.
Toss: Pakistan
Umpires: Ranmore Martinesz (SRI) and Rod Tucker (AUS)
TV umpire: Ian Gould (ENG)
Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)

Sri Lanka innings

Sri Lanka riding on a electrifying half century by Kusal Perera (68) beat Pakistan by two wickets in the second one-day international to level the five-match series 2-2 at Pallekelle on Wednesday.

Perera's 25-ball knock was the second fastest ODI half century (17 balls) cracking13 fours and two sixes to set Sri Lanka on course after Pakistan made an imposing 287-8.

After the blazing opening stand of 92 between Perera and Dilshan (47), Sri Lanka wobbled to slip to 196-6.

Chandimal held the innings together steering Lanka over the line remaining unbeaten on 48 helped by cameos from Siriwardana (26) and Pathirana (33).

Rahat Ali claimed three for 33.

Is there a twist in the tale with Thisara departing three short of victory. SL 258-8, 47.1 overs.

Thisara Perera c Shoaib Malik b Anwar Ali 15 (22b 0x4 0x6)

Pathirana's superb cameo comes to an end giving Hafeez the charge and being out by a mile. SL 248-7, 39.3 overs.

Sachith Pathirana st Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Hafeez 33 (28b 4x4 1x6)

Chandimal cracks two consecutive boundaries off Rahat. SL 244-6, 39 overs.

Pathirana turns it on smashing a boundary and six off Shah to put Sri Lanka back on course. SL 232-6, 38 overs.

Hafeez strikes another crucial blow trapping left-hander Siriwardana leg before. SL 196-6, 31.2 overs.

Milinda Siriwardana lbw b Mohammad Hafeez 26 (28b 3x4 0x6)


Pakistan have clawed their way back with Rahat claiming his third as Anwar Ali takes a superb catch. SL 159-5, 24.2 overs.

Lahiru Thirimanne c Anwar Ali b Rahat Ali 4 (8b 0x4 0x6)


Sri Lanka are under pressure as Mathews is stranded in the middle after being sent back by his partner. SL 157-4, 23.3 overs.

Angelo Mathews run out 8 (11b 0x4 0x6)


Rahat strikes again castling Dilshan off an inside edge. SL 155-3, 22.2 overs.

TM Dilshan b Rahat Ali 47 (63b 3x4 0x6)


Pakistan get another breakthrough as Rahat beats the gate of Tharanga to knock the off stump. SL 140-2, 18.3 overs.

Upul Tharanga b Rahat Ali 28 (36b 3x4 0x6)

Kusal's magnificent knock comes to an end pulling Irfan to the midwicket fielder. SL 92-1, 8.2 overs.

Kusal Perera c Yasir Shah b Mohammad Irfan 68 (25b 13x4 2x6)

Kusal sweeps Hafeez for two consecutive boundaries to race a 17-ball fifty to hold the record for the second fastest ODI fifty with Sanath Jayasuriya. SL 65-0, 5 overs.

Hafeez into the attack now with Kusal hammering 42 off 14 balls and poised to equal the fastest 50 in ODIs.

Kusal is dealing in boundaries as the Sri Lanka 50 comes off just 23 balls.

Kusal smashes three boundaries off giant Irfan. SL 41-0, 3 overs.

Kusal is turning it on cracking three boundaries and a massive six off Rahat's first over. SL 27-0, 2 overs.

Kusal survives an appeal for a catch behind off the first ball from Irfan and then upper cuts over the keeper's head for a boundary as Sri Lanka begin the record chase of 288.

Pakistan innings


Mohammad Rizwan smashed 52 off 38 balls towards the end to lift Pakistan to 287-8 in the second one-day international against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Wednesday.

Azhar Ali played a captain's innings of 79 and senior pro Shoaib Malik made a run-a-ball 51, the pair adding 83 for the fourth wicket after the tourists won the toss and elected to bat in the day-night match.

But Rizwan stole the show with five boundaries and a six as the tourists plundered 88 runs in the last 10 overs.

Anwar Ali, who put on 56 for the seventh wicket with Rizwan, returned unbeaten on 29 off 20 balls.

Pakistan had won the first match in Dambulla by six wickets last Saturday to take the lead in the five-match series.

Ninth-ranked Pakistan need a series win to stay in contention for a place in the eight-nation Champions Trophy in England in 2017.

Sri Lanka, currently ranked fifth, are assured of taking part in the tournament.

Ahmed Shehzad put on 59 for the first wicket with Azhar when he was bowled by debutant left-arm spinner Sachith Pathirana for 30 in the 14th over.

Mohammad Hafeez, the hero of Pakistan's win in Dambulla with four wickets and a century, managed only nine this time when he became Pathirana's second victim to make it 75-2.

It soon became 96-3 in the 24th over when Babar Azam was bowled by Milinda Siriwardana for 12, but Malik joined Azhar to steer the tourists out of trouble.

Pathirana and sling-arm fast bowler Lasith Malinga claimed two wickets each.

Anwar Ali finishes the innings with a boundary as Pakistan make 287-8, plundering 88 in the last 10 overs.

Shah perishes attempting to heave Malinga out of the ground. Pak 278-8, 49.1 overs.

Yasir Shah c Siriwardana b Malinga 1 (2b 0x4 0x6)


Pradeep strikes trapping Rizwan with  a slower ball. Pak 273-7, 48.4 overs.

Mohammad Rizwan lbw b Pradeep 52 (38b 5x4 1x6)

Malinga goes for 20 with Rizwan slamming a couple of boundaries and six as Pakistan turn it on in the final overs. Pak 263-6, 47 overs.

Malinga strikes trapping Sarfraz leg before with a toe crushes while Pakistan lose the decision review. Pak 217-6, 42.1 overs.

Sarfraz Ahmed lbw b Malinga 7 (9b 0x4 0x6)

Dilshan strikes as Azhar perishes going for a big hit. Pak 197-5, 39.4 overs.

Azhar Ali c Siriwardana b Dilshan 79 (104b 6x4 0x6)

Mathews makes a crucial breakthrough beating Malik with a quicker delivery. Pak 179-4, 36.3 overs.

Shoaib Malik b Mathews 51 (51b 2x4 3x6)


Malik is stepping up the ante clobbering a couple of sixes of Pathirana to race to his half century. Pak 178-3, 36 overs.

Malik dances down the track and lofts Pathirana over his head for a six. Pak 143-3, 32 overs.

Another left arm spinner Siriwardana has struck with Azzam attempting to cut and missing to be castled. Pak 96-3, 23.1 overs.

Babar Azam b Siriwardana 12 (19b 1x4 0x6)


Pathirana has struck again with the in-form Hafeez cracking him straight to the fielder at short cover. Pak 75-2, 17.5 overs.

Mohammad Hafeez c Mathews b Pathirana 9 (15b 0x4 1x6)


Hafeez hits the first six of the match slamming Pathirana back over his head. Pak 71-1, 16 overs.

Debutant Pathirana gets the breakthrough claiming his maiden wicket in his second over as Shehzad drags one onto his stumps. Pak 59-1, 13.5 overs.

Ahmed Shehzad b Pathirana 30 (43b 4x4 0x6)

Azhar Ali finally gets the measure of Mathews stepping out and lofting him back over his head for a boundary. Pak 32-0, 9 overs.

Azhar also breaks the shackles clipping Pradeep to the midwicket fence after Mathews send down his second maiden. Pak 27-0, 8 overs.

Shehzad hit the first boundary of the match punching Pradeep through the covers. Pak 22-0, 6 overs.

Pakistan have yet to get off the mark after two overs with Pradeep sending down a maiden to Shehzad.

Mathews begins with a maiden to his opposite number Azhar Ali.

The ground is covered after a burst of rain delaying the start of play.

Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat in the second one-day international at Pallekelle on Wednesday.

Pakistan lead the five-match series 1-0.

Sachith Pathirana is making his debut for Sri Lanka.

Teams

Sri Lanka
: Kusal Perera, TM Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Milinda Siriwardana, Thisara Perera, Sachith Pathirana, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep

Pakistan
: Azhar Ali, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Anwar Ali, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan