Key Points
- Lankans reached 288/8 thanks to stabilising knocks from Samarawickrama, Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis.
- Abrar Ahmed led Pakistan’s bowling with a disciplined 3-wicket spell, while Haris Rauf picked up three but proved expensive.
- Late acceleration from Hasaranga’s unbeaten 37 boosted Sri Lanka after early mid-innings stumbles.
RAWALPINDI: Sri Lanka put up a competitive total of 288 in the second ODI against Pakistan, riding on a string of crucial middle-order contributions at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Pakistan, who chose to field, made early inroads but were unable to prevent Sri Lanka from building steady partnerships throughout the innings. Though wickets fell at regular intervals, timely accelerations in the middle and late overs ensured the visitors finished with a healthy total.
Steady Start Before Abrar Breaks Through
Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara provided Sri Lanka with a stable start, adding 51 runs for the first wicket. Nissanka looked positive with four boundaries in his 24 before a smart piece of fielding from Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim, finished by a clean take from Mohammad Rizwan, resulted in a run-out.
Mishara followed soon after for 27, stumped by Rizwan off Abrar Ahmed, who once again proved Pakistan’s most disciplined bowler in the middle overs.
Middle-Order Resistance Turns the Tide
Sri Lanka’s progress briefly faltered at 98 for 4, with Abrar removing Kusal Mendis for 20 and trapping captain Charith Asalanka lbw for just 6. But Sadeera Samarawickrama, composed for his 42 (52), steadied the innings, stitching a crucial 61-run stand with Janith Liyanage.
Liyanage continued the rebuilding work, compiling a patient 54 off 63 balls, keeping the scoreboard moving with ones and twos before launching a late surge.
Late Fireworks Push Sri Lanka Close to 300
Kamindu Mendis then injected much-needed momentum, smashing 44 off 38 with four fours and two sixes, lifting the run rate toward the backend of the innings before falling to Haris Rauf.
The real finishing touch came from Wanindu Hasaranga, who played a sparkling, unbeaten 37 off just 26 balls, striking at 142.30 and ensuring Sri Lanka capitalised on the final overs. Pramod Madushan added an 11-run cameo, carrying Sri Lanka to 288/8, a total boosted by 14 wides from Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Bowling: Abrar Impresses, Rauf Strikes
Pakistan’s attack had mixed fortunes. Abrar Ahmed delivered the standout spell: 10–0–41–3, applying pressure with sharp turns and control. Haris Rauf claimed 3 for 66, expensive but effective at key moments. Mohammad Wasim was steady with 1 for 50, while Naseem Shah had a rare wicketless outing, conceding 63 runs.
Though Pakistan created chances, lapses in discipline, especially in the form of extra deliveries, allowed Sri Lanka to maintain rhythm throughout the innings.
With 288 on the board, Pakistan will need a solid batting display under lights to seal the three-match series. The chase promises to be a gripping one, especially if dew becomes a factor in the latter half.
