Pakistan registered a comfortable win over Sri Lanka in the second match of the three-match ODI series played today (14th November) at the Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium, securing the series 2-0 with a game to spare.
Stand-in captain Salman Agha, leading the side in the absence of the unwell Shaheen Shah Afridi, won the toss and opted to bowl first. Pakistan made two changes, bringing in Mohammad Wasim Jr and Abrar Ahmed for Afridi and Faheem Ashraf, while Sri Lanka replaced off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana with fast bowler Pramod Madushan.
Sri Lanka began positively as Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara put on 51 runs for the opening wicket. However, the promising start quickly faded when a sudden collapse saw the visitors lose four wickets for just 47 runs, slipping to 98 for 4.
Sadeera Samarawickrama and Janith Liyanage steadied the innings with a valuable 61-run partnership, before Samarawickrama was bowled by Haris Rauf for 42 off 52 balls. Liyanage continued to anchor the middle order and combined with Kamindu Mendis to add another important 73 runs for the sixth wicket. Liyanage top scored with a well-made 54 off 63 balls, while Mendis contributed a brisk 44 off 38 deliveries.
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Wanindu Hasaranga added late momentum with a quick 37 off 26 balls as Sri Lanka reached a competitive total of 288 for 8 in their 50 overs. Abrar Ahmed and Haris Rauf were the standout bowlers for Pakistan, claiming three wickets each.
Pakistan’s chase was off to a strong start as openers Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman capitalized on Sri Lanka’s wayward bowling during the powerplay, putting together a rapid 77-run stand off just 58 balls. Zaman then joined forces with Babar Azam to build a steady century partnership for the second wicket, keeping Pakistan comfortably on track.
The partnership between Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan proved decisive, with the experienced duo adding 112 runs for the third wicket and guiding Pakistan through the crucial stages of the chase.
Despite Sri Lanka’s efforts, their bowlers were unable to create meaningful pressure, and the hosts crossed the target in the 49th over to complete a dominant performance. Dushmantha Chameera was the only wicket-taker for Sri Lanka, finishing with 2 for 58 from his 10 overs.
With this comprehensive victory, Pakistan sealed the ODI series 2-0, leaving Sri Lanka with one final opportunity to salvage pride in the third and final match.
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | run out (Mohammad Rizwan) | 24 | 31 | 4 | 0 | 77.42 |
| Kamil Mishara | st Mohammad Rizwan b Abrar Ahmed | 27 | 39 | 2 | 0 | 69.23 |
| Kusal Mendis | c Mohammad Nawaz b Abrar Ahmed | 20 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 71.43 |
| Sadeera Samarawickrama | b Haris Rauf | 42 | 52 | 3 | 1 | 80.77 |
| Charith Asalanka | lbw b Abrar Ahmed | 6 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Janith Liyanage | c Mohammad Nawaz b Mohammad Wasim Jnr | 54 | 63 | 2 | 1 | 85.71 |
| Kamindu Mendis | c Saim Ayub b Haris Rauf | 44 | 38 | 4 | 2 | 115.79 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | not out | 37 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 142.31 |
| Dushmantha Chameera | lbw b Haris Rauf | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Pramod Madushan | not out | 11 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 73.33 |
| Extras | 23 (b 0 , lb 9 , nb 0, w 14, pen 0) |
| Total | 288/8 (50 Overs, RR: 5.76) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naseem Shah | 10 | 1 | 63 | 0 | 6.30 | |
| Haris Rauf | 10 | 0 | 66 | 3 | 6.60 | |
| Mohammad Wasim Jnr | 10 | 0 | 50 | 1 | 5.00 | |
| Abrar Ahmed | 10 | 0 | 41 | 3 | 4.10 | |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 7 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 6.29 | |
| Saim Ayub | 3 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 5.00 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fakhar Zaman | c Janith Liyanage b Dushmantha Chameera | 78 | 93 | 8 | 1 | 83.87 |
| Fakhar Zaman | c Charith Asalanka b Dushmantha Chameera | 33 | 25 | 5 | 1 | 132.00 |
| Babar Azam | not out | 102 | 119 | 8 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | not out | 51 | 54 | 5 | 1 | 94.44 |
| Extras | 25 (b 1 , lb 5 , nb 1, w 18, pen 0) |
| Total | 289/2 (48.2 Overs, RR: 5.98) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asitha Fernando | 8.2 | 0 | 66 | 0 | 8.05 | |
| Pramod Madushan | 8 | 0 | 62 | 0 | 7.75 | |
| Dushmantha Chameera | 10 | 0 | 58 | 2 | 5.80 | |
| Charith Asalanka | 6 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 5.50 | |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 10 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 3.50 | |
| Janith Liyanage | 4 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 3.25 | |
| Kamindu Mendis | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 8.00 | |
 at the Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium, securing the series 2-0 with a game to spare.){kind=link}