Sri Lanka cruise to ODI series victory

Sri Lanka made light work of the third ODI against Pakistan in Dambulla, winning by seven wickets after bowling the visitors out for a paltry 102, and thus Sri Lanka won the series two-one.

Sri Lanka made light work of the third ODI against Pakistan in Dambulla, winning by seven wickets after bowling the visitors out for a paltry 102, and thus Sri Lanka won the series two-one.

Pakistan were all out for 102 in the 33rd over, with only three players reaching double figures, and Thisara Perera taking four wickets. Tillakaratne Dilshan's half century then saw the hosts home in the 19th over.

Sri Lanka actually only needed 101 to win, two less than the original target after Messrs Duckworth and Lewis got involved, as rain reduced the game to 48 overs per side. Pakistan had won the toss and opted to bat.

They got off to a poor start when Sharjeel Khan was out for a duck, and aside from a 38 not out from Fawad Alam, it was slim pickings for the batsmen. Only Ahmed Shehzad and Misbah-ul-Haq reached double figures too, and neither made it past 20.

The bowling was well dispersed, as Dhammika Prasad bagged the openers, Lasith Malinga removed Mohammad Hafeez, and Thisara Perera ripping through the lower order. Seekkugge Prasanna and Rangana Herath got a tail-ender each.

Sri Lanka didn't have too much trouble with the chase, interrupted as it was by the lunch break. Though Upul Tharanga was out for 14 and Kumar Sangakkara for two, Dilshan (50 not out) and Mahela Jayawardene (26) saw the side to victory.

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