Key Takeaways
- Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the One-day International tri-series.
- Dilshan Madushanka's five-wicket haul was crucial in Pakistan's collapse.
- England's hopes of reaching the final are now dashed after Sri Lanka's victory.
Sri Lanka secured their place in the final of the One-day International tri-series after defeating Pakistan by eight wickets in a thrilling match at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.
The match, which saw Sri Lanka chase a modest target of 111 in just 18.1 overs, was a masterclass in bowling and fielding, with left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka delivering a career-best performance.
Madushanka's five-wicket haul, which included 34 runs, was instrumental in dismantling Pakistan's batting lineup, which struggled to cope with his short-pitched deliveries.
Kamindu Mendis' unbeaten 62 helped Sri Lanka to 114-2, securing victory with 31.5 overs to spare. The result confirmed Sri Lanka's place in Saturday's final, alongside Pakistan, who had already qualified after winning their first three matches.
Pakistan's batting struggled, with captain Kusal Mendis winning the toss and electing to field. The hosts lost wickets at regular intervals, with Babar Azam top-scoring with 29 off 33 balls, including five boundaries.
Hasan Nawaz's 17 and Shaheen Shah Afridi's 15, despite two sixes, were not enough to save Pakistan. Fakhar Zaman was the first to fall for five, caught at point, while Maaz Sadaqat managed eight before being dismissed leg-before by Asitha Fernando.
Saad Baig and Salman Ali Agha's contributions were limited, with the latter making nine before being caught at short cover off Madushanka.
The result means that England's remaining league fixture against Sri Lanka on Thursday has become a dead rubber, as their hopes of reaching the final are now dashed.
With Sri Lanka and Pakistan set to face each other in the final, the focus now shifts to the remaining matches in the tri-series.
