Sri Lanka level series in Hambantota

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Cricket365
August 26, 2014

The ODI series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was at a stalemate at the end of the second match in Hambantota on Tuesday, as Sri Lanka won by 77 runs to level the series with a game to play.

Sri Lanka posted a formidable 310 for nine in their 50 overs, leaving Pakistan with much to do thanks to half tons from Angelo Mathews, Mahela Jayawardene and Thisara Perera. But after a bright start, Pakistan crumbled to 233 all out by the 44th over.

Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first, and got off to a poor start. They were soon three down, with Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan falling cheaply.

Wahab Riaz removed Sangakkara and Tharanga, while Junaid Khan bagged Dilshan in the second over. This again left Mahela Jayawardene and Captain Fantastic Angelo Mathews to save the day.

The pair put on a century stand, as they had in the first one-dayer, with Mahela reaching his half century first. He reached it in 49 deliveries, before kicking on to make 76 before being bowled by Mohammad Hafeez.

Mathews, meanwhile, was more sedate, reaching his half ton off 80 balls, but he picked up the pace after that. It looked as though he'd reach his first ODI century, but had to settle for 93, thus his 21st half ton in the format.

The knock was topped off by a blistering fifty from Thisara Perera, who ensured the score passed 300. He made 65 off just 36 balls, including six fours. Wahab Riaz was the star for Pakistan, taking four wickets.

The chase was going to be a tough one as it was, so the wicket of Sharjeel Khan for nine didn't help. The run rate was good initially though, as Hafeez raced along and scored 62 off 49 balls.

There was a collapse after that though, as Umar Akmal departed a run later, and Ahmed Shehzad battled away at the other end. He too made a half ton, though much more sedately, as the run rate required climbed.

Pakistan skipper Misbah was frustrating to watch, as he muddled his way to 36 off 51 balls, while Fawad Alam added 30 off 40 deliveries. There were the last significant scores though, as Thisara contributed with the ball too, taking three quick, and deadly, wickets.

The final game will be played in Dambulla on 30 August.

<b>Sri Lanka:</b> Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews, Ashan Priyanjan, Thisara Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga.

<b>Pakistan:</b> Sharjeel Khan, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar AkmalÃ‚Â¿, Misbah-ul-Haq, Fawad Alam, Sohaib Maqsood, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan.