PAK vs SL: 2nd ODI – Pakistan go 1-0 up despite gritty Sri Lankan fightback
Pakistan surged to a comfortable 67-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second ODI played at the National Stadium, Karachi. Babar Azam’s majestic ton and Usman Shinwari’s five-wicket haul helped the home side gain 1-0 lead in the three-match series with one game remaining. The first match of the series was a washout.
Also read: Saha vs Pant: The age-old battle between grit and flair
Azam reigns at home
International cricket returning to Pakistan allowed the home side to play on their own soil after a while. Although the turn out less than expected, the cricket did not disappoint. Pakistan’s opening pair of Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman provided a steady start. The duo added 73 runs for the first wicket before Imam was adjudged LBW. Zaman went on to complete his fifty while Azam got used to the track.
Azam took the lead after Zaman’s fall and treated the fans with his exquisite batting. Playing on his home turf for the second time in ODIs, Azam did not throw away his wicket after reaching fifty and went on to celebrate his 11th century in the 50-over format. All this while, Pakistan’s middle-order gave their all in raising the tempo but fell without significant contributions. Iftikhar Ahmed, playing his first ODI since 2015, struck 32 from 20 balls to help Pakistan go past the 300-run mark.
Collapse, fightback, collapse
Shinwari broke through Sadeera Samarawickrama’s defence in the fourth over to provide the first blow. One brought plenty as Sri Lankan batsmen failed to gauge the pace of the pitch. Three catches and an LBW later, Sri Lanka found themselves reeling at 28/5. An embarrassing defeat was looming large over the visitors.
All-rounders Dasun Shanaka and Shehan Jayasuriya resurrected the innings. The duo batted calmly and kept their wickets intact. Notching up their fifties, they kept Sri Lanka in the hunt despite the rising required run-rate. Jayasuriya-Shanaka added 177 runs for the sixth wicket, highest for Sri Lanka in ODIs. However, Jayasuriya’s dismissal off Shinwari brought an end to the gritty fightback.
Shadab Khan dismissed Shanaka two balls later which ended the remote chances of a Sri Lankan victory. Wanindu Hasaranga adopted an aggressive approach but his 30 (23 balls) only lowered the losing margin. Shinwari’s 5/51 was the standout bowling performance for Pakistan and he also earned the player of the match award.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play the third and final ODI on Wednesday, 2nd October at Karachi.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 305/7 in 50 overs (B Azam 115, F Zaman 54; W Hasaranga 2-63) beat Sri Lanka 238/10 (S Jayasuriya 96, D Shanaka 68; U Shinwari 5-51) by 67 runs.
