Solid top order display takes Pakistan to 316 for 4 against Sri Lanka in the 3rd ODI at Colombo
Solid top order display takes Pakistan to 316 for 4
Thanks to a solid display by the Pakistan top order, the visitors have given Sri Lanka stiff target of 317 to chase in the third One-Day International (ODI) at Colombo. The top six batsmen of Pakistan batting line up were all amongst runs, with Sarfraz Ahmed top scoring with a 74-ball 77. Apart from Sarfraz, Mohammad Hafeez, also scored 54. Skipper Azar Ali, who reached 1,000 ODI runs during the course of this innings, narrowly missed out on his fifty, after being unfortunately run out for 49. Sri Lanka, chased down 288 in the last game and on this flat track another similar sort of run chase can’t be ruled out. Live Updates: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2015, 3rd ODI at Colombo
Earlier Pakistan made a very good start to their innings after Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first in this crucial game. Their openers, Ahmed Shehzad and Azhar put up 93 runs for the first wicket. But after that, both of them got out before their half-centuries. At 124 for two, Sri Lankan bowlers were trying to put on the pressure on the two new Pakistani batters, Hafeez and Sarfraz. But they were equalled to the task and showed great fighting spirits. The pair steadied the ship with a 72-run partnership. Live Scorecard: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2015, 3rd ODI at Colombo
Rain halted play for a brief period of time, but thankfully no overs were lost. But the rain break didn’t help the momentum of the Pakistan innings, as straight after the break, Hafeez got out to left-arm spinner Sachith Pathirana, trying to play an expensive shot. Later in the innings, Sarfraz, who looked well-set for a ton, also lost his wicket due to another unfortunate run out. Pakistan got the finishing touches form the experienced Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Rizwan. The 34-ball 59 runs by this pair pair took Pakistan’s score past 300-run mark. No other Sri Lankan bowler, apart from Pathirana looked threatening on this flat wicket. Lasith Malinga gave away 80 in his 10 overs.
Pakistan have retained all-rounder Hafeez even though he is banned from bowling for a year due to an illegal bowling action. Hafeez scored a century in the first game and now again shined with bat in this game. The tourists replaced batsman Babar Azam with debutant left-arm spinner Imad Wasim to bolster the bowling. Sri Lanka, on the other hand picked an unchanged side. the hosts drew level in the five-match series in Pallekele on Wednesday after Pakistan won the opening match at Dambulla last Saturday.
Ninth-ranked Pakistan need a series win to remain in contention for a place in the eight-nation Champions Trophy in England in 2017. Sri Lanka, currently ranked fifth, are assured of taking part in the tournament. Bangladesh after their recent dream run at home, have also secured a place in the tournament as well. So the fight for the eighth place is between Pakistan and West Indies.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 316 for 4 in 50 overs (Azhar Ali 49, Mohammaed Hafeez 54, Sarfraz Ahmed 77; Sachith Pathirana 1 for 49) vs Sri Lanka