Sri Lanka level Series 1-1

Lasith Malinga took three wickets to help Sri Lanka to a 25-run win over Pakistan in the second one day international to level the five-match series 1-1 on Monday. Malinga took two wickets in the first over and then returned in his second spell to finish with 3-36 to help dismiss Pakistan for 210 in 46.3 overs after setting them a target of 236 runs at Dubai stadium.


Umar Akmal led the chase with a brilliant 102-ball 91 but Pakistan lost three wickets in succession in the batting power-play, including that of Akmal which saw them lose their way.


The other way SriLanka scored 136 runs in their last 20 overs with the help of their batting power play.

Akmal hit one six and eight boundaries - three of them in Dilhara Fernando's 38th over - before hitting the sixth delivery of the same over straight into the hands of mid-on to end Pakistan's hopes of winning.
Chasing 236, Pakistan were rocked by seam before Umar Akmal's dazzling strokeplay left them needing 93 off the last 15 overs, when their batting Powerplay came into force. A hat-trick of boundaries from Umar reduced the equation to 72 at under a run-a-ball, but he holed out attempting a fourth successive four.


Umar's exit ended a 62-run stand, and Pakistan were in big trouble when Lasith Malinga removed the set Sarfraz Ahmed next ball, to a questionable lbw call when the batting side was out of reviews. Thisara Perera then dismissed Umar Gul to put Sri Lanka on the brink, but Shahid Afridi kept fighting. Tillakaratne Dilshan, however sealed the deal with a direct-hit from point that ended Afridi's cameo, and with it Pakistan's hopes. 


In the 36th over, Jayawardene sensed release and launched Afridi over extra-cover and the straight field for fours. Tharanga too cashed in, taking Saeed Ajmal for a raft of boundaries as Pakistan's spin gambit in the Powerplay backfired. Jayawardene pounded Gul for two more fours through the off side, and Sri Lanka had finally found their voice in the Middle East. The innings gradually decelerated thereafter, with Tharanga and Angelo Mathews falling at inopportune moments, but the Powerplay had provided enough momentum to haul Sri Lanka to a respectable total. A 17-run final over from Ajmal helped the cause too. 


The remaining matches in the series will be played in Dubai (November 18), Sharjah (November 20) and Abu Dhabi (November 23). Both teams will also play a Twenty20 in Abu Dhabi on November 25.