Pakistan thrashed Sri Lanka by 135 runs in the third one-day international in Colombo on Sunday to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

 

Pakistan piled up the highest total in the series so far of 316-4 after electing to bat and then bowled Sri Lanka out for 181 at the Premadasa stadium.

 

The match was interrupted for 30 minutes in the second session when stones thrown from outside the stadium landed on the field near a Pakistani fielder.

 

Earlier, an all-round batting performance from Pakistan batsmen helped the team set a 317-run target for Sri Lanka in the third ODI at Premadasa stadium, Colombo on Sunday.

 

The visitor’s captain Azhar Ali won the toss and elected to bat first in a match where they brought in Imad Wasim in place of Babar Azam to fill in for Muhammad Hafeez who has been banned from bowling in international cricket for one year.

 

After a steady 93-run start, Ahmed Shehzad was dismissed by Lasith Malinga as he was caught at short midwicket on 44 runs.

 

Azhar Ali was joined by Hafeez but the captain was caught short of his crease while trying to steal a second run. He scored 49 off 59.

 

Hafeez was joined by Sarfraz and after a short 20-min break due to rain, the former completed his fifty and then was caught at midwicket off Pathirana.

 

Sarfraz scored a near run-a-ball 77 runs to lead Pakistan’s cause and was run out in the 45th over while trying to steal a quick single.

 

Shoaib and Rizwan then took on the Lankan bowlers and took the score to 316-4.

 

Malinga and Pathirana bagged one wicket each for the hosts.

(The Express Tribune)