Key Takeaways
- Sri Lanka secured a place in the ODI tri-series final by defeating Pakistan by eight wickets.
- Kamindu Mendis scored an unbeaten half-century, while Dilshan Madushanka took five wickets for Sri Lanka.
- Pakistan’s batting struggled, with Babar Azam top-scoring for the hosts with 29 runs.
In a decisive victory, Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the fifth match of the ODI tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium, securing a place in the final.
Chasing a modest target of 111, Sri Lanka completed the victory in the 19th over, with more than 30 overs to spare, thanks to an unbeaten half-century from Kamindu Mendis.
Mendis, who scored 62 off 60 balls, including eight fours and two sixes, was the standout performer for Sri Lanka, leading the team to victory.
Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis provided an aggressive start, bringing up their 50-run opening partnership in the seventh over before Fernando was dismissed for 16.
Pakistan’s batting lineup collapsed, with Fakhar Zaman falling for five and Maaz Sadaqat managing eight as the hosts slipped to 23-2 in 6.2 overs.
Dilshan Madushanka, leading the charge with a five-wicket haul, removed Saad Baig for five to deepen Pakistan’s troubles. Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha attempted to rebuild the innings.
However, their 15-run partnership ended when Sahan Arachchige dismissed Agha for nine. Babar top-scored with 29 off 33 balls before falling to Eshan Malinga.
Pakistan’s lower order also struggled, with Arafat Minhas contributing 10 before becoming Madushanka’s third victim. Hasan Nawaz scored 17 before falling to Dunith Wellalage.
Captain Shaheen Afridi struck two sixes during his 15-run knock, but his efforts were in vain as Pakistan’s innings ended for 110. Madushanka finished with impressive figures of 5-34 in 8.3 overs.
