PAK vs SL: Pakistan turned in another assured performance to beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the third ODI, thereby completing a 3-0 clean sweep in the series between PAK vs SL. A disciplined bowling effort, led by Mohammad Wasim Jr’s three-wicket haul, restricted Sri Lanka to a below-par 211, after which Pakistan’s batting unit completed the chase with 5.2 overs in hand.
Sri Lanka’s Bright Start Fades Quickly
Sent in to bat, Sri Lanka began on a positive note as Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara reached 55/0 inside eight overs. The promising partnership came unstuck when Nissanka chopped Haris Rauf onto his stumps for 24 and Mishara edged Wasim Jr for 29.
Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama tried to get the recovery going as they put on 43 for the third wicket, but Pakistan struck at regular, important intervals. Mendis was bowled for 34 by Wasim; Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage fell cheaply as Sri Lanka found themselves in deep trouble at 143/5.
Samarawickrama’s battle for 48 came to an end with a delivery from Faisal Akram that sharply turned into him, allowing the Pakistan bowlers to dismiss the lower order. Pawan Rathnayake made a quick 32 for a brief boost, then Sri Lanka ended their innings at 211 all out, with 4.4 overs remaining.
Pakistan’s Chase: Early Jolt, Strong Recovery
The pursuit of 212 began poorly for Pakistan when Haseebullah Khan was dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana off the first ball of the over, falling for a duck after 12 balls. However, there was little time spent in neutrality when Fakhar Zaman began to find the rhythms against Pramod Madushan and Theekshana.
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Fakhar’s fluent 55 off 45 balls, laced with eight boundaries, anchored an 80-run partnership with skipper Babar Azam as Pakistan surged to 82/1. However, Sri Lanka hit back through an inspired spell from Jeffrey Vandersay.
Vandersay removed Fakhar in the deep, bowled Babar for 34, and trapped Salman Agha lbw – all in a tight spell that reduced Pakistan to 115/4 and briefly opened the door for a comeback.
Rizwan, Talat shut the door on Sri Lanka’s hopes
When Pakistan was under slight pressure, Mohammad Rizwan and Hussain Talat composed themselves brilliantly and stitched an unbroken match-winning stand.
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The calm and calculative Rizwan reached his 19th ODI fifty, remaining unbeaten on 61 off 92 balls, while Talat supported him with a steady 42 off 57 deliveries*. Their partnership saw Pakistan cross the finish line in 44.4 overs as the home team completed the sweep in the PAK vs SL series.
Match Summary (PAK vs SL)
Sri Lanka: 211 all out in 45.2 overs
– S. Samarawickrama 48
– M. Wasim Jr 3/47; H. Rauf & F. Akram 2 each
Pakistan: 215/4 in 44.4 overs – M. Rizwan 61*, F. Zaman 55 – J. Vandersay 3/42 Result: Pakistan won by 6 wickets to seal the series 3-0.
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