Pakistan vs Sri Lanka - 3rd ODI Pakistan complete series whitewash over Sri Lanka

Pakistan’s Babar Azam plays a shot

AFP
Pakistan completed a dominant 3-0 series sweep over Sri Lanka with a comfortable six-wicket victory in the third ODI at Rawalpindi Stadium yesterday. Chasing a target of 212, Pakistan’s disciplined bowling and composed batting ensured they wrapped up the series without real pressure.

Pakistan’s chase began shakily when Haseebullah Khan fell for a duck off just 12 balls to Maheesh Theekshana, leaving the visitors at 8/1. Fakhar Zaman, however, quickly restored momentum, timing the ball beautifully to score 55 off 45 deliveries, including eight boundaries. He shared an 80-run partnership with Babar Azam, putting Pakistan in a strong position at 82/1.

Sri Lanka’s Jeffrey Vandersay briefly swung the match back in their favour, removing Fakhar in the deep, bowling Babar for 34, and trapping Salman Agha lbw to leave Pakistan wobbling at 115/4. From there, Mohammad Rizwan and Hussain Talat steadied the innings, gradually shutting Sri Lanka out of the contest. Rizwan remained unbeaten on 61, marking his 19th ODI fifty, while Talat contributed an unbeaten 42, guiding Pakistan to victory with 5.2 overs to spare.

Earlier, Sri Lanka, sent in to bat, got off to a strong start with openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara putting on 55 runs inside eight overs. However, both fell quickly—Nissanka chopping on to Haris Rauf for 24 and Mishara edging Mohammad Wasim Jr for 29—leaving Sri Lanka at a fragile 55/2. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama added 43 runs, but the middle order repeatedly faltered. Wasim Jr struck again, bowling Mendis for 34, while Samarawickrama top-scored with 48 before being dismissed by Faisal Akram. Lower-order contributions were limited to Pawan Rathnayake’s 32, as Pakistan’s spinners and pacers kept Sri Lanka under control, eventually bowling them out for 211 in 45.2 overs. Wasim Jr led the bowling effort with three wickets, while Faisal Akram and Haris Rauf picked up two apiece.

Overall, Pakistan’s all-round performance with disciplined bowling upfront, timely breakthroughs in the middle, and calm, efficient batting under pressure ensured a clean sweep and underscored their dominance over Sri Lanka in the series.

(Agencies)