Pakistan pleased with a series win in cricket’s homecoming

Pakistan guarded against a daunting ton from Danushka Gunathilaka securing a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the third and final one day international in Karachi on Wednesday thus sealed the three match series 2-0.

The hosts won the second match by 67 runs following the first match was washed out in Karachi rain without a ball being bowled.

The match was initially poised by a career best hundred from Lankan opener Danushka Gunathilaka eventually leading the visiting side to a competitive total of 297-9 from their 50 overs.

Gunathilaka was bowled by Amir scoring 133, the fifth highest ODI score by any Sri Lankan batsman playing a single ball more to his score offshoring as many as sixteen shots to cross the boundary rope.

No other batsman could pass 50, Dasun Shanaka’s 43 off 24 provided some late fireworks for Sri Lanka as they gathered 50 in the last five overs.

Mohammad Amir was the best of Pakistan’s bowlers, taking 3 for 50.

A second string Sri Lankan side with curtailed power in absence of ten front line cricketers made Pakistan toil hard for the win.

Lately half centuries from openers Fakhar Zaman, Abid Ali and afterwards Haris Sohail enabled Pakistan to the five-wicket win. Abid Ali smashed 74 off 67 while Fakhar Zaman top scored with 76 off 91.

Despite not being able to pick up quick wickets, Sri Lankan bowlers maintained strictness in their attack and dried off the runs.

Haris Sohail added 56 off 50 balls but fell short with 11 runs requiring for the victory which was accomplished by Iftikhar Ahmed at the end.

Brief Score:

Sri Lanka 297/9

Gunathilaka 133, Thirimanne 36, Shanaka 43;

Mohammad Amir 3-30

Pakistan 299/5 (48.4 overs)

Fakhar 76, Abid 74, Haris 56,

Nuwan Pradeep 2-53

Result: Pakistan won by 5 wickets

Pakistan win by five wickets and seal the series 2-0 👏

The return of ODI cricket to Karachi has been truly special 🙌#PAKvSL SCORE ➡️ https://t.co/E2CBrDz9LN pic.twitter.com/HcqK1T5eFl

— ICC (@ICC) October 2, 2019