Pakistan’s batting collapsed against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack as the hosts were dismissed for a paltry 110 in 25.3 overs in the fifth match of the One-day International tri-series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday.
Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka spearheaded the visitors’ charge with a career-best five for 34, repeatedly troubling Pakistan with short-pitched deliveries to leave the home side struggling from the outset after Sri Lanka elected to field.
Pakistan’s innings never recovered from the early loss of wickets, with Babar Azam top-scoring with 29 off 33 balls. Hasan Nawaz contributed 17, while captain Shaheen Shah Afridi made a late attempt to lift the total with 15 off 13 deliveries, including two sixes.
The hosts lost Fakhar Zaman for five in the fourth over when he failed to negotiate Madushanka’s short delivery and was caught at point.
Maaz Sadaqat, making his first appearance in the tri-series after being added to the squad a day earlier, managed eight before Asitha Fernando trapped him leg-before with a well-directed yorker.
Babar offered brief resistance, striking five boundaries as he attempted to rebuild the innings. However, Pakistan continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, with Saad Baig departing for five after offering a simple catch to short cover off Madushanka in the 10th over.
Salman Ali Agha made nine before edging Sahan Arachchige behind in the 13th over, leaving Pakistan at 61-4. Babar’s stay ended in the following over when Eshan Malinga trapped him leg-before for 29, a dismissal that also cost Pakistan their second review.
The collapse accelerated as the Sri Lankan spinners joined the attack. Shadab Khan managed just two before top-edging Arachchige to wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis, while Hasan Nawaz was dismissed for 17 after attempting to attack Dunith Wellalage. Arachchige took a running catch at long-off to leave Pakistan reeling at 91-8.
Madushanka then returned to dismantle the tail. Arafat Minhas, who scored 10, was caught by Mendis after fending a sharp bouncer, while Haris Rauf fell for one to a fine diving catch by Kamindu Mendis at slip.
Shaheen briefly counter-attacked, pulling a short ball over fine leg for six and launching another delivery over cow corner off Asitha Fernando. But Madushanka ended the innings in the 26th over, with Shaheen caught by Wellalage at fine leg after attempting another aggressive stroke.
Madushanka finished with five wickets, while Arachchige claimed two. Asitha Fernando, Malinga and Wellalage took one wicket apiece as Sri Lanka’s bowlers restricted Pakistan to 110 in a little over half their allotted overs.
Pakistan’s total left Sri Lanka needing 111 runs to win and strengthen their position in the tri-series, while the hosts faced the task of producing an exceptional bowling performance to defend their meagre score.
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