Pakistan seals commanding ODI series win with strong batting and pace.
Rawalpindi
Pakistan wrapped up a comprehensive 3-0 series victory over Sri Lanka with a six-wicket win in the final ODI, capping off a white-ball campaign marked by consistent batting and disciplined seam bowling. Chasing 212, Pakistan cruised home in 44.4 overs, thanks to composed half centuries from Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman.
Sri Lanka, asked to bat first, squandered a bright opening stand of 55. Debutant Kamil Mishra and Pathum Nissanka gave the visitors early momentum, but Pakistan’s pace attack quickly regained control. Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim initiated the slide, while wrist-spinner Faisal Akram, returning after a year, struck crucial middle-order blows. Sri Lanka’s stand-in skipper Kusal Mendis contributed 34, and Sadeera Samarawickrama top-scored with 48, but the team folded for 211 in 45.2 overs — their lowest total of the series.
Pakistan’s chase began shakily when debutant Haseebullah Khan fell for a duck. But Zaman, building on his earlier knocks of 78 and 55, stitched a 76-run partnership with Babar Azam as Sri Lanka’s second-string pace attack struggled with dew and errant lengths. Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay briefly revived Sri Lanka with three quick wickets, dismissing Zaman, Babar and Salman Ali Agha to leave Pakistan at 115-4.
Rizwan, celebrating his 100th ODI, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 61 while Hussain Talat added a steady 42. Their unbroken century stand ensured Pakistan crossed the line comfortably. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, back after a fever, praised his senior players. “Babar and Rizwan are the backbone of our team,” he said.
Sri Lanka will now regroup for a T20 tri-series featuring Pakistan and Zimbabwe, beginning Tuesday in Rawalpindi, after a tense tour that continued only following renewed security assurances.