2nd ODI: Sri Lanka level series 1-1 with two-wicket win over Pakistan
Kusal Perera scores quick-fire 68 to help the hosts successfully chase 288-run target against Pakistan
Dilshan was bowled by Rahat Ali on 47. PHOTO: AFP
Sri Lanka chased 288-run target in the penultimate over against Pakistan to bag a two-wicket win to level the five-match series 1-1 in Pallekele on Wednesday.
Pakistan, who decided to bat first after winning the toss, scored 287-8 in their 50 overs courtesy Azhar Ali (79), Shoaib Malik (51) and Rizwan Ahmed's (52) half centuries.
Lasith Malinga and debutante Sachith Pathirana bagged two wickets each for the hosts.
In reply, Sri Lanka were fired to 92 runs in just eight overs by Kusal Perera's 68 off 25 balls. He hit 13 fours and two sixes in the process.
After Kusal fell, Sri Lanka's scoring rate went down and at one point they lost the grip of the match but Chandimal and Pathirana (33 off 28 balls) made sure the team went as near the finishing line as possible.
Thisara Perera then helped Chandimal as the hosts chased the target with 11 balls remaining to level the series.
The next match will be played on Sunday July 19.
Teams
Pakistan: Azhar Ali (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Anwar Ali, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan.
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (captain), Kausal Perera, Tilakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal,, Milinda Siriwardana, Thisara Perera, Sachith Pathirana, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep
Sri Lanka 288-8 (48.1 overs)
Rahat Ali bowls, Chandimal takes a single and pumps his fist in the air. Sri Lanka make it 1-1 in the five-match series.
Sri Lanka 287-8 (48 overs)
Malinga steer it towards the right of mid-on for two and Yasir Shah pulls a muscle in his left leg. Scores are equal as Rahat Ali is given the ball for the penultimate over. Chandimal on strike.
Blocked again by Malinga. Anwar trying his best to bamboozle Malinga, while Maling is happily defending him.
Slow ball, defended well by Malinga.
JUST MISSED! Maling swings his bat at a length delivery and misses it by a feather's margin. Anwar Ali misses his stepping on the next ball. YES, it is all happening out there.
Malinga blocks the first delivery he faces with a straight bat.
OUT! Leading edge and Shoaib Malik takes a good forward-diving catch. Is there another twist in the tale? That is the question everyone is asking.
Anwar Ali to bowl most probably the last over of the match.
Sri Lanka 285-7 (47 overs)
Starts with two dots and a single. Fourth ball dot. Short ball and called a wide, one bouncer for the over as well. Single by Thisara Perera and Chandimal steals two on the last ball.
Rahat Ali has been given the ball.
Sri Lanka 280-7 (46 overs)
Five runs off his over. Sri Lanka just eight runs away from victory off 24 balls.
Shoaib (Akhtar) Malik bowls his second over.
Sri Lanka 275-7 (45 overs)
Thirteen needed now off 30 balls.
FOUR! Thick edge, first slip would have caught it but Chandimal has earned a boundary here at third man.
Muhammad Irfan into his last over.
Sri Lanka 268-7 (44 overs)
Two runs off the first five balls and a dot on the last. Azhar needs wickets, his bowlers are giving him low-scoring overs. Sri Lanka need 20 off 36 balls.
Can you believe it? Shoaib Malik comes on to bowl for Pakistan in the death overs. Will this bluff work for Azhar Ali?
Sri Lanka 266-7 (43 overs)
Just a single off the last three balls. Pakistan needs wickets, one the runs go under 20 it will be a walk in the park for Sri Lanka.
Three singles off three balls. Sri Lanka happy with the current state of affairs. Pakistan need to change and that too soon.
Muhammad Irfan again. Can he deal any damage with his bouncers or he needs to finds the block-hole?
Sri Lanka 262-7 (42 overs)
Another wicket-less five-run over for Pakistan. Who can raise his hand and give Pakistan a breakthrough here?
Muhammad Hafeez.
Sri Lanka 257-7 (41 overs)
Just five runs, a few bouncers and a wicket-less over for Pakistan.
Muhammad Irfan is brought back for his last three overs. Pakistan need to get the three wickets to win, otherwise, Sri Lanka can just nudge it around and win the match with 36 needed off 60 balls.
Sri Lanka 252-7 (40 overs)
STUMPED! Pathirana (33) advances again this time misses the ball and Sarfraz removes the bails. Pakistan are back in the match. It is going to go down to the wire.
FOUR! Pathirana advances down the pitch and targets the cow corner.
Muhammad Hafeez is given the ball. Pakistan need a wicket RIGHT NOW.
Sri Lanka 244-6 (39 overs)
FOUR! Through covers. Chandimal reducing the balls-runs difference.
FOUR! Down the leg side and Chandimal gets something on it to guide it towards fine leg.
Rahat Ali is called into the attack to shatter Sri Lanka's hopes of a victory. Can he deliver now?
Sri Lanka 232-6 (38 overs)
SIX! Pathirana plays with the spin and it clears the long-off boundary. The debutante is showing nerves of steel in his very first match.
FOUR! Over the in-field towards extra cover.
Yasir Shah.
Sri Lanka 220-6 (37 overs)
FOUR! Short and the debutante Pathirana goes for the midwicket boundary.
Anwar Ali.
Sri Lanka 213-6 (36 overs)
FOUR! Pathirana cuts it late to find the third man boundary.
Yasir Shah is brought back into the attack to find a wicket.
Sri Lanka 207-6 (35 overs)
Three runs off the over.
Anwar Ali in for his fifth over.
Sri Lanka 204-6 (34 overs)
Three runs off the over. Sri Lanka need 84 off 16 overs. Not a tough ask but the Islanders don't have wickets in hand.
Muhammad Hafeez.
Sri Lanka 201-6 (33 overs)
Three runs off the over.
Anwar Ali is back.
Sri Lanka 198-6 (32 overs)
LBW! Siriwardana is dismissed on 26. The match has turned in Pakistan's favour. Sri Lanka need something magical now from Chandimal, can he deliver? Meanwhile, Sachith Pathirana is in.
Muhammad Hafeez bowls after drinks break.
Sri Lanka 196-5 (31 overs)
Seven runs off the over.
Muhammad Irfan.
Sri Lanka 189-5 (30 overs)
FOUR! Siriwardana comes down the track and goes for the midwicket boundary.
Muhammad Hafeez.
Sri Lanka 184-5 (29 overs)
Just four runs off his over.
Muhammad Irfan again.
Sri Lanka 180-5 (28 overs)
Four runs off his over.
Muhammad Hafeez is brought back by Azhar. He is trying everything in his armory to find a wicket.
Sri Lanka 177-5 (27 overs)
Five runs off his over courtesy a FOUR by Siriwardana. He rocked back onto the back foot and pulled it towards midwicket.
Muhammad Irfan is back. Azhar Ali wants wickets and a couple of them will deliver a killer blow to the Lankans.
Sri Lanka 171-5 (26 overs)
Five runs off the over.
Yasir Shah in for his eighth over.
Sri Lanka 166-5 (25 overs)
FOUR! Short and on leg. Siriwardana just kisses it past the keeper.
OUT! That is one astounding catch from Anwar Ali. He runs forwards and dives to his left in a diagonal form to bag an important catch (the catch in the World Cup was important too, why did you miss that Rahat, WHY?). Meanwhile, that tilts the match in Pakistan's favour. Lahiru Thirmanne departs for four runs. Siriwardana walks in.
Rahat Ali in.
Sri Lanka 157-4 (24 overs)
RUN OUT! That is a big wicket for Pakistan. Angelo Mathews cuts it and runs. He is half way down when the man on the other side says no. He stands there disappointed as Sarfraz removes the bails with amusement.
Yasir Shah bowls his seventh over.
Sri Lanka 156-3 (23 overs)
BOWLED! Rahat venting his anger out on the wood. Dilshan's stump rattled this time, inside edge and boom. He departs for 47, unlucky not to get his fifty.
Rahat Ali.
Sri Lanka 155-2 (22 overs)
Yasir Shah goes for four runs in the over.
Sri Lanka 151-2 (21 overs)
Just four runs off the over.
Rahat Ali bowls his fifth over.
Sri Lanka 147-2 (20 overs)
Just four runs off his over.
Yasir Shah continues.
Sri Lanka 143-2 (19 overs)
BOWLED! Upul Tharanga's (28) stumps are rattled. Rahat is ecstatic. The ball was a bit short and it swung back in leaving Tharanga clueless of his bat-hand coordination.
FOUR! Short and on off and Upul Tharanga just guides it towards the third man boundary. Sweet shot!
Rahat Ali.
Sri Lanka 136-1 (18 overs)
Yasir Shah goes for three runs as well.
Sri Lanka 133-1 (17 overs)
Rahat Ali goes for three runs in his over. Sri Lanka's scoring at a slow rate now after Kusal rampage.
Sri Lanka 130-1 (16 overs)
FOUR! Dilshan slog a full delivery towards the cow corner.
Yasir Shah bowls his third over.
Sri Lanka 124-1 (15 overs)
Muhammad Hafeez goes for five runs in his over.
Special stat: One needs 5 overs on average to break his fast while updating a match live.
Sri Lanka 95-1 (10 overs)
Anwar Ali continues.
Sri Lanka 94-1 (9 overs)
OUT! Kusal Perera goes for his favourite short again. Short, pulled but this time Yasir Shah is there to catch it. He departs for 68 off 25 balls. Upul Tharanga walks in.
Muhammad Irfan is brought back into the attack. Can he find his man now?
Sri Lanka 91-0 (8 overs)
Five runs off the over.
Anwar Ali again.
Sri Lanka 86-0 (7 overs)
FOURx2! Perera is vying for the fastest century record, isn't he? two on two off Hafeez. Cow corner and then deep midwicket.
Muhammad Hafeez to Pakistan's rescue.
Sri Lanka 74-0 (6 overs)
SIX! Kusal Perera is loving short balls. Goes for the region behind square again. Beautiful shot! So easy on the eyes!
Anwar Ali is brought on.
Sri Lanka 65-0 (5 overs)
FOUR! Kusal gets his fifty off 17 balls. Is that some sort of a record? Yes it is. Second fastest half-century joint with the great Sanath Jayasuriya. Meanwhile, this is Kusal Perera's fifth half-ton for his country.
A few balls of silence here but Kusal doesn't like it. He goes on one knee and slams it behind point for a FOUR. He moves to 47 off 16 balls.
Muhammad Hafeez has been given the ball. Can he change the face of this match?
Sri Lanka 54-0 (4 overs)
FOUR! Perera goes straight. 43 off 14 balls. Can he equal Sanath Jayasuriaya's quickest half-century record?
FOUR! Kusal Perera finds the unguarded midwicket boundary. Its rampage out there.
FOUR! Dilshan joins the party, goes through covers and beats Shehzad who puts in a half-hearted effort.
Rahat again.
Sri Lanka 41-0 (3 overs)
FOUR! Edged, keeper and first slip jump to get a hand on it but it has enough fire to beat both of them. Perera moves to 35 off 12 balls.
FOUR! Short and pulled again by Perera. He is loving it out there.
FOUR! Pulled behind square by Kusal Perera. Sri Lanka have come out with an attacking mindset and it is working for them at the moment.
Muhammad Irfan bowls.
Sri Lanka 27-0 (2 overs)
SIX! Perera goes over midwicket. Big, very big!
FOUR! Perera follows up with a pull towards the same region.
FOUR! Perera goes behind square this time.
FOUR! Lauched over covers by Perera.
Rahat Ali to share the new ball with Irfan.
Sri Lanka 9-0 (1 over)
FOUR! On Dilshan's legs and it is rushed towards the fine leg boundary.
FOUR! Short and on off, Kusal Perera edges it over the slip squadron.
Muhammad Irfan measures his run-up to bowl the first over while Kusal Perera and Tilakaratne Dilshan set their stride to face the Pakistani bowlers.
Pakistan 287-8 (50 overs)
FOUR! Anwar Ali swings and gets a top edge which runs down to the third man boundary. Good finish for Pakistan!
OUT! Yasir Shah goes on one knee and swings hard but only to find the fielder off Malinga.
Pakistan 278-7 (49 overs)
FOUR! What a late cut by Anwar Ali. Waits for the slow ball and just kisses it past the keeper towards third man.
LBW! Muhammad Rizwan walks back after a superb innings of 52. Pradeep misses the tail-ender, bags an important wicket.
DROPPED! Anwar Ali skies one and the keeper and bowlers go for it. You know what happened next. Chandimal is angry with Pradeep. Malinga taps the bowler on the back to buck him up.
Nuwan Pradeep is in to bowl the penultimate over.
Pakistan 270-6 (48 overs)
Eight runs off his last over. He finishes with two maidens, 36 runs and a wicket.
Mathews thinks this is the time to bowl his last over and he is in for it.
Pakistan 262-6 (47 overs)
SIX! Short and pulled this time by Rizwan. Mathews is disappointed. Rizwan is on fire for Pakistan.
FOUR! Again full and on Rizwan's pads. He goes over Malinga's head, long-on jumps in with a dive but couldn't stop it.
FOUR! Full and onto the pads. Rizwan hits it on the up past the bowler and mid-off.
Malinga in with his pin-point yorkers and bouncers.
Pakistan 243-6 (46 overs)
SIX! Anwar Ali takes charge and goes big over long-on. Massive!
Pathirana is back. Mathews doesn't want to end his overs now.
Pakistan 233-6 (45 overs)
FOUR! Full-toss and Rizwan finds the gap between cover and mid-off.
Malinga in.
Pakistan 226-6 (44 overs)
Five runs off his over. Nine overs 29 runs and a wicket for mathews with two maidens.
Mathews continues into his ninth over.
Pakistan 221-6 (43 overs)
OUT! Sarfraz Ahmed caught LBW on the very first ball of the over. Malinga is still dangerous in the death overs. THIS IS CLEARLY NOT OUT. Well, Anwar Ali is out in the middle.
Malinga returns.
Pakistan 217-5 (42 overs)
FOUR! Muhammad Rizwan sweeps and beats the fielder at deep fine leg.
Dilshan in for his sixth over.
Pakistan 208-5 (41 overs)
Nine runs off the over. The most expensive over by Mathews today.
FOUR! Mis-field helps Rizwan bag a boundary through covers.
The two wicketkeepers bat down the order for Pakistan now to add value to this total now. Meanwhile, Mathews continues to impress.
Pakistan 199-5 (40 overs)
OUT! Azhar Ali (79) dances down the pitch, launches one towards cow corner and the fielder from midwicket runs to his left to catch it. Azhar Ali last scores 72, 36, 101, 79, 102, 46, 21 and 79 since his recall. Sarfraz Ahmed is out in the middle now.
Dilshan bowls his fifth.
Pakistan 195-4 (39 overs)
Five runs off the over. 15 runs off seven overs.
Angelo Mathews, the captain, into his seventh over. He has been really impressive today with the ball. Ten runs from six over is too good.
Pakistan 190-4 (38 overs)
FOUR! Azhar Ali cuts a short ball past short third man.
Siriwardana in for fifth over. Shoaib Malik has given the much needed boost to the Pakistan score and its now up to the lower middle order to finish the job.
Pakistan 181-4 (37 overs)
Just three runs and a wicket off the over.
BOWLED! Shoaib Malik misses a straighter one and the ball clips his off-stump. Muhammad Rizwan walks in.
Angelo Mathews is back after drinks.
Pakistan 178-3 (36 overs)
FIFTY up for Malik with the second six and that is DRINKS.
SIXx2! Shoaib Malik is not holding back anymore, hits a six over the bowler's head and another one over mid-wicket.
Pathirana.
Pakistan 163-3 (35 overs)
FOURx2! Malik on fire! Hits a four past point and blasts another one in the same direction.
Pradeep.
Pakistan 153-3 (34 overs)
Eight runs off the over.
FOUR! There is a mis-field and Shoaib Malik earns a four.
Fifty partnership up for the Azhar-Shoaib pair.
Dilshan.
Pakistan 145-3 (33 overs)
Two runs off the over.
Malinga.
Pakistan 143-3 (32 overs)
FOUR! Azhar Ali cuts it past point
SIX! Shoaib Malik hits one over the bowler's head.
Pathirana.
Pakistan 129-3 (31 overs)
Six runs off the over
Malinga comes back.
Pakistan 123-3 (30 overs)
FIFTY! Azhar Ali completes his half ton off 79 balls.
FOUR! Azhar Ali goes over extra cover.
Pathirana.
Pakistan 116-3 (29 overs)
Six runs off the over.
DROPPED! Azhar Ali saved by Malinga's butter fingers at short fine leg, although to be fair it was a worth-it effort.
Dilshan.
Pakistan 110-3 (28 overs)
Four runs off the over. Run rate stuck at 3.92
Siriwardana.
Pakistan 106-3 (27 overs)
Just a single scored off the over by Dilshan.
Pakistan 105-3 (26 overs)
Five runs off Siriwardana's over.
Pakistan 100-3 (25 overs)
Just three runs off his over.
Dilshan has been brought on to bowl.
Pakistan 97-3 (24 overs)
BOWLED! Babar Azam walks back after scoring 12 runs. Shoaib Malik walks in.
Siriwardana.
Pakistan 96-2 (23 overs)
Four runs came off his over.
Malinga.
Pakistan 92-2 (22 overs)
Only three runs off his first over.
Siriwardana is on.
Pakistan 89-2 (21 overs)
Lasith Malinga goes for three runs in his over.
Pakistan 86-2 (20 overs)
FOUR! Babar Azam goes wide of deep midwicket.
Pathirana on.
Pakistan 78-2 (19 overs)
Thisara Perera goes for three runs in his over.
Pakistan 75-2 (18 overs)
OUT! Muhammad Hafeez caught by Mathews off Pathirana on nine runs. Babar Azam is in.
Pakistan 74-1 (17 overs)
Pradeep goes for three runs in his over.
Pakistan 71-1 (16 overs)
SIX! Muhammad Hafeez tells him who is the boss here. A step down the pitch and it goes flying over long-off.
Pathirana again.
Pakistan 59-1 (14 overs)
BOWLED! Ahmed Shehzad's stumps sent flying by the newbie. He misses the sweep and departs for 30 off 43 balls.
Pathirana bowls his second over.
Pakistan 58-0 (13 overs)
Just four runs off it.
Lasith Malinga in for his second over.
Pakistan 54-0 (12 overs)
Just five runs off it.
Debutante Pathirana is brought on to bowl. Can he inspire Sri Lanka in his first outing?
Pakistan 49-0 (11 overs)
He goes for five runs in the over.
Lasith Malinga is brought on to maintain the pressure on the Pakistani openers.
Pakistan 44-0 (10 overs)
FOURx3! Ahmed Shehzad switches on the beast mode. He goes through covers, the towards midwicket and finally beat the fine leg fielder.
Thisara Perera in to replace Pradeep.
Pakistan 32-0 (9 overs)
FOUR! Azhar says its enough to Mathews. He strikes one down the ground past mid-on.
Mathews.
Pakistan 27-0 (8 overs)
FOUR! Azhar Ali with his trademark leg flip towards midwicket off Pradeep.
Sri Lanka are showing great athleticism in the field. Pakistan will have to match up to win this game.
Pakistan 22-0 (7 overs)
And it remains three runs. Four overs for three runs; that is some tight bowling from the Lankan captain.
Mathews continues. He has given just three runs in three over.
There was slight drizzle in the air for a few moments but its has stopped now.
Pakistan 22-0 (6 overs)
FOUR overthrows! Azhar Ali survives a run-out chance on the bowler's end as the throw clips the bails and runs to the boundary.
Nuwan Pradeep is bowling with some serious pace here. Ahmed Shehzad has been left unanswered by a few incoming deliveries.
Pakistan 16-0 (5 overs)
Only three runs off it.
Mathews again.
Pakistan 13-0 (4 overs)
A good expensive over by the Islanders.
FOUR byes! Pardeep delivers a sharp inswinger which leaves Azhar Ali clueless, oh and the keeper missed it as well. Count that as a boundary.
Pacy Nuwan Pradeep to continue.
Pakistan 1-0 (3 overs)
Just a single off the over. Finally, Pakistan off the mark courtesy Azhar Ali's quick single.
Pakistan 0-0 (2 overs)
Second maiden on the trot.
Nuwan Pradeep has been given the new ball.
Pakistan 0-0 (1 over)
The captain bowls a maiden to the captain.
Ahmed Shehzad and Azhar Ali will be opening for Pakistan. It will be amusing to see if they come up with another combination like Muhammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad. In the bowling department, Sri Lanka will surely give the new ball to Lasith Malinga. The captain Angelo Mathews thinks otherwise and brings himself on.
Rain has descended on the stadium. But it's slowing down and the pitch covers are coming off. Match will probably start in another twenty minutes.
Sachith Pathirana is debuting for Sri Lanka.
Toss
Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat first.
Pakistan, who decided to bat first after winning the toss, scored 287-8 in their 50 overs courtesy Azhar Ali (79), Shoaib Malik (51) and Rizwan Ahmed's (52) half centuries.
Lasith Malinga and debutante Sachith Pathirana bagged two wickets each for the hosts.
In reply, Sri Lanka were fired to 92 runs in just eight overs by Kusal Perera's 68 off 25 balls. He hit 13 fours and two sixes in the process.
After Kusal fell, Sri Lanka's scoring rate went down and at one point they lost the grip of the match but Chandimal and Pathirana (33 off 28 balls) made sure the team went as near the finishing line as possible.
Thisara Perera then helped Chandimal as the hosts chased the target with 11 balls remaining to level the series.
The next match will be played on Sunday July 19.
Teams
Pakistan: Azhar Ali (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Anwar Ali, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan.
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (captain), Kausal Perera, Tilakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal,, Milinda Siriwardana, Thisara Perera, Sachith Pathirana, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep
Sri Lanka 288-8 (48.1 overs)
Rahat Ali bowls, Chandimal takes a single and pumps his fist in the air. Sri Lanka make it 1-1 in the five-match series.
Sri Lanka 287-8 (48 overs)
Malinga steer it towards the right of mid-on for two and Yasir Shah pulls a muscle in his left leg. Scores are equal as Rahat Ali is given the ball for the penultimate over. Chandimal on strike.
Blocked again by Malinga. Anwar trying his best to bamboozle Malinga, while Maling is happily defending him.
Slow ball, defended well by Malinga.
JUST MISSED! Maling swings his bat at a length delivery and misses it by a feather's margin. Anwar Ali misses his stepping on the next ball. YES, it is all happening out there.
Malinga blocks the first delivery he faces with a straight bat.
OUT! Leading edge and Shoaib Malik takes a good forward-diving catch. Is there another twist in the tale? That is the question everyone is asking.
Anwar Ali to bowl most probably the last over of the match.
Sri Lanka 285-7 (47 overs)
Starts with two dots and a single. Fourth ball dot. Short ball and called a wide, one bouncer for the over as well. Single by Thisara Perera and Chandimal steals two on the last ball.
Rahat Ali has been given the ball.
Sri Lanka 280-7 (46 overs)
Five runs off his over. Sri Lanka just eight runs away from victory off 24 balls.
Shoaib (Akhtar) Malik bowls his second over.
Sri Lanka 275-7 (45 overs)
Thirteen needed now off 30 balls.
FOUR! Thick edge, first slip would have caught it but Chandimal has earned a boundary here at third man.
Muhammad Irfan into his last over.
Sri Lanka 268-7 (44 overs)
Two runs off the first five balls and a dot on the last. Azhar needs wickets, his bowlers are giving him low-scoring overs. Sri Lanka need 20 off 36 balls.
Can you believe it? Shoaib Malik comes on to bowl for Pakistan in the death overs. Will this bluff work for Azhar Ali?
Sri Lanka 266-7 (43 overs)
Just a single off the last three balls. Pakistan needs wickets, one the runs go under 20 it will be a walk in the park for Sri Lanka.
Three singles off three balls. Sri Lanka happy with the current state of affairs. Pakistan need to change and that too soon.
Muhammad Irfan again. Can he deal any damage with his bouncers or he needs to finds the block-hole?
Sri Lanka 262-7 (42 overs)
Another wicket-less five-run over for Pakistan. Who can raise his hand and give Pakistan a breakthrough here?
Muhammad Hafeez.
Sri Lanka 257-7 (41 overs)
Just five runs, a few bouncers and a wicket-less over for Pakistan.
Muhammad Irfan is brought back for his last three overs. Pakistan need to get the three wickets to win, otherwise, Sri Lanka can just nudge it around and win the match with 36 needed off 60 balls.
Sri Lanka 252-7 (40 overs)
STUMPED! Pathirana (33) advances again this time misses the ball and Sarfraz removes the bails. Pakistan are back in the match. It is going to go down to the wire.
FOUR! Pathirana advances down the pitch and targets the cow corner.
Muhammad Hafeez is given the ball. Pakistan need a wicket RIGHT NOW.
Sri Lanka 244-6 (39 overs)
FOUR! Through covers. Chandimal reducing the balls-runs difference.
FOUR! Down the leg side and Chandimal gets something on it to guide it towards fine leg.
Rahat Ali is called into the attack to shatter Sri Lanka's hopes of a victory. Can he deliver now?
Sri Lanka 232-6 (38 overs)
SIX! Pathirana plays with the spin and it clears the long-off boundary. The debutante is showing nerves of steel in his very first match.
FOUR! Over the in-field towards extra cover.
Yasir Shah.
Sri Lanka 220-6 (37 overs)
FOUR! Short and the debutante Pathirana goes for the midwicket boundary.
Anwar Ali.
Sri Lanka 213-6 (36 overs)
FOUR! Pathirana cuts it late to find the third man boundary.
Yasir Shah is brought back into the attack to find a wicket.
Sri Lanka 207-6 (35 overs)
Three runs off the over.
Anwar Ali in for his fifth over.
Sri Lanka 204-6 (34 overs)
Three runs off the over. Sri Lanka need 84 off 16 overs. Not a tough ask but the Islanders don't have wickets in hand.
Muhammad Hafeez.
Sri Lanka 201-6 (33 overs)
Three runs off the over.
Anwar Ali is back.
Sri Lanka 198-6 (32 overs)
LBW! Siriwardana is dismissed on 26. The match has turned in Pakistan's favour. Sri Lanka need something magical now from Chandimal, can he deliver? Meanwhile, Sachith Pathirana is in.
Muhammad Hafeez bowls after drinks break.
Sri Lanka 196-5 (31 overs)
Seven runs off the over.
Muhammad Irfan.
Sri Lanka 189-5 (30 overs)
FOUR! Siriwardana comes down the track and goes for the midwicket boundary.
Muhammad Hafeez.
Sri Lanka 184-5 (29 overs)
Just four runs off his over.
Muhammad Irfan again.
Sri Lanka 180-5 (28 overs)
Four runs off his over.
Muhammad Hafeez is brought back by Azhar. He is trying everything in his armory to find a wicket.
Sri Lanka 177-5 (27 overs)
Five runs off his over courtesy a FOUR by Siriwardana. He rocked back onto the back foot and pulled it towards midwicket.
Muhammad Irfan is back. Azhar Ali wants wickets and a couple of them will deliver a killer blow to the Lankans.
Sri Lanka 171-5 (26 overs)
Five runs off the over.
Yasir Shah in for his eighth over.
Sri Lanka 166-5 (25 overs)
FOUR! Short and on leg. Siriwardana just kisses it past the keeper.
OUT! That is one astounding catch from Anwar Ali. He runs forwards and dives to his left in a diagonal form to bag an important catch (the catch in the World Cup was important too, why did you miss that Rahat, WHY?). Meanwhile, that tilts the match in Pakistan's favour. Lahiru Thirmanne departs for four runs. Siriwardana walks in.
Rahat Ali in.
Sri Lanka 157-4 (24 overs)
RUN OUT! That is a big wicket for Pakistan. Angelo Mathews cuts it and runs. He is half way down when the man on the other side says no. He stands there disappointed as Sarfraz removes the bails with amusement.
Yasir Shah bowls his seventh over.
Sri Lanka 156-3 (23 overs)
BOWLED! Rahat venting his anger out on the wood. Dilshan's stump rattled this time, inside edge and boom. He departs for 47, unlucky not to get his fifty.
Rahat Ali.
Sri Lanka 155-2 (22 overs)
Yasir Shah goes for four runs in the over.
Sri Lanka 151-2 (21 overs)
Just four runs off the over.
Rahat Ali bowls his fifth over.
Sri Lanka 147-2 (20 overs)
Just four runs off his over.
Yasir Shah continues.
Sri Lanka 143-2 (19 overs)
BOWLED! Upul Tharanga's (28) stumps are rattled. Rahat is ecstatic. The ball was a bit short and it swung back in leaving Tharanga clueless of his bat-hand coordination.
FOUR! Short and on off and Upul Tharanga just guides it towards the third man boundary. Sweet shot!
Rahat Ali.
Sri Lanka 136-1 (18 overs)
Yasir Shah goes for three runs as well.
Sri Lanka 133-1 (17 overs)
Rahat Ali goes for three runs in his over. Sri Lanka's scoring at a slow rate now after Kusal rampage.
Sri Lanka 130-1 (16 overs)
FOUR! Dilshan slog a full delivery towards the cow corner.
Yasir Shah bowls his third over.
Sri Lanka 124-1 (15 overs)
Muhammad Hafeez goes for five runs in his over.
Special stat: One needs 5 overs on average to break his fast while updating a match live.
Sri Lanka 95-1 (10 overs)
Anwar Ali continues.
Sri Lanka 94-1 (9 overs)
OUT! Kusal Perera goes for his favourite short again. Short, pulled but this time Yasir Shah is there to catch it. He departs for 68 off 25 balls. Upul Tharanga walks in.
Muhammad Irfan is brought back into the attack. Can he find his man now?
Sri Lanka 91-0 (8 overs)
Five runs off the over.
Anwar Ali again.
Sri Lanka 86-0 (7 overs)
FOURx2! Perera is vying for the fastest century record, isn't he? two on two off Hafeez. Cow corner and then deep midwicket.
Muhammad Hafeez to Pakistan's rescue.
Sri Lanka 74-0 (6 overs)
SIX! Kusal Perera is loving short balls. Goes for the region behind square again. Beautiful shot! So easy on the eyes!
Anwar Ali is brought on.
Sri Lanka 65-0 (5 overs)
FOUR! Kusal gets his fifty off 17 balls. Is that some sort of a record? Yes it is. Second fastest half-century joint with the great Sanath Jayasuriya. Meanwhile, this is Kusal Perera's fifth half-ton for his country.
A few balls of silence here but Kusal doesn't like it. He goes on one knee and slams it behind point for a FOUR. He moves to 47 off 16 balls.
Muhammad Hafeez has been given the ball. Can he change the face of this match?
Sri Lanka 54-0 (4 overs)
FOUR! Perera goes straight. 43 off 14 balls. Can he equal Sanath Jayasuriaya's quickest half-century record?
FOUR! Kusal Perera finds the unguarded midwicket boundary. Its rampage out there.
FOUR! Dilshan joins the party, goes through covers and beats Shehzad who puts in a half-hearted effort.
Rahat again.
Sri Lanka 41-0 (3 overs)
FOUR! Edged, keeper and first slip jump to get a hand on it but it has enough fire to beat both of them. Perera moves to 35 off 12 balls.
FOUR! Short and pulled again by Perera. He is loving it out there.
FOUR! Pulled behind square by Kusal Perera. Sri Lanka have come out with an attacking mindset and it is working for them at the moment.
Muhammad Irfan bowls.
Sri Lanka 27-0 (2 overs)
SIX! Perera goes over midwicket. Big, very big!
FOUR! Perera follows up with a pull towards the same region.
FOUR! Perera goes behind square this time.
FOUR! Lauched over covers by Perera.
Rahat Ali to share the new ball with Irfan.
Sri Lanka 9-0 (1 over)
FOUR! On Dilshan's legs and it is rushed towards the fine leg boundary.
FOUR! Short and on off, Kusal Perera edges it over the slip squadron.
Muhammad Irfan measures his run-up to bowl the first over while Kusal Perera and Tilakaratne Dilshan set their stride to face the Pakistani bowlers.
Pakistan 287-8 (50 overs)
FOUR! Anwar Ali swings and gets a top edge which runs down to the third man boundary. Good finish for Pakistan!
OUT! Yasir Shah goes on one knee and swings hard but only to find the fielder off Malinga.
Pakistan 278-7 (49 overs)
FOUR! What a late cut by Anwar Ali. Waits for the slow ball and just kisses it past the keeper towards third man.
LBW! Muhammad Rizwan walks back after a superb innings of 52. Pradeep misses the tail-ender, bags an important wicket.
DROPPED! Anwar Ali skies one and the keeper and bowlers go for it. You know what happened next. Chandimal is angry with Pradeep. Malinga taps the bowler on the back to buck him up.
Nuwan Pradeep is in to bowl the penultimate over.
Pakistan 270-6 (48 overs)
Eight runs off his last over. He finishes with two maidens, 36 runs and a wicket.
Mathews thinks this is the time to bowl his last over and he is in for it.
Pakistan 262-6 (47 overs)
SIX! Short and pulled this time by Rizwan. Mathews is disappointed. Rizwan is on fire for Pakistan.
FOUR! Again full and on Rizwan's pads. He goes over Malinga's head, long-on jumps in with a dive but couldn't stop it.
FOUR! Full and onto the pads. Rizwan hits it on the up past the bowler and mid-off.
Malinga in with his pin-point yorkers and bouncers.
Pakistan 243-6 (46 overs)
SIX! Anwar Ali takes charge and goes big over long-on. Massive!
Pathirana is back. Mathews doesn't want to end his overs now.
Pakistan 233-6 (45 overs)
FOUR! Full-toss and Rizwan finds the gap between cover and mid-off.
Malinga in.
Pakistan 226-6 (44 overs)
Five runs off his over. Nine overs 29 runs and a wicket for mathews with two maidens.
Mathews continues into his ninth over.
Pakistan 221-6 (43 overs)
OUT! Sarfraz Ahmed caught LBW on the very first ball of the over. Malinga is still dangerous in the death overs. THIS IS CLEARLY NOT OUT. Well, Anwar Ali is out in the middle.
Malinga returns.
Pakistan 217-5 (42 overs)
FOUR! Muhammad Rizwan sweeps and beats the fielder at deep fine leg.
Dilshan in for his sixth over.
Pakistan 208-5 (41 overs)
Nine runs off the over. The most expensive over by Mathews today.
FOUR! Mis-field helps Rizwan bag a boundary through covers.
The two wicketkeepers bat down the order for Pakistan now to add value to this total now. Meanwhile, Mathews continues to impress.
Pakistan 199-5 (40 overs)
OUT! Azhar Ali (79) dances down the pitch, launches one towards cow corner and the fielder from midwicket runs to his left to catch it. Azhar Ali last scores 72, 36, 101, 79, 102, 46, 21 and 79 since his recall. Sarfraz Ahmed is out in the middle now.
Dilshan bowls his fifth.
Pakistan 195-4 (39 overs)
Five runs off the over. 15 runs off seven overs.
Angelo Mathews, the captain, into his seventh over. He has been really impressive today with the ball. Ten runs from six over is too good.
Pakistan 190-4 (38 overs)
FOUR! Azhar Ali cuts a short ball past short third man.
Siriwardana in for fifth over. Shoaib Malik has given the much needed boost to the Pakistan score and its now up to the lower middle order to finish the job.
Pakistan 181-4 (37 overs)
Just three runs and a wicket off the over.
BOWLED! Shoaib Malik misses a straighter one and the ball clips his off-stump. Muhammad Rizwan walks in.
Angelo Mathews is back after drinks.
Pakistan 178-3 (36 overs)
FIFTY up for Malik with the second six and that is DRINKS.
SIXx2! Shoaib Malik is not holding back anymore, hits a six over the bowler's head and another one over mid-wicket.
Pathirana.
Pakistan 163-3 (35 overs)
FOURx2! Malik on fire! Hits a four past point and blasts another one in the same direction.
Pradeep.
Pakistan 153-3 (34 overs)
Eight runs off the over.
FOUR! There is a mis-field and Shoaib Malik earns a four.
Fifty partnership up for the Azhar-Shoaib pair.
Dilshan.
Pakistan 145-3 (33 overs)
Two runs off the over.
Malinga.
Pakistan 143-3 (32 overs)
FOUR! Azhar Ali cuts it past point
SIX! Shoaib Malik hits one over the bowler's head.
Pathirana.
Pakistan 129-3 (31 overs)
Six runs off the over
Malinga comes back.
Pakistan 123-3 (30 overs)
FIFTY! Azhar Ali completes his half ton off 79 balls.
FOUR! Azhar Ali goes over extra cover.
Pathirana.
Pakistan 116-3 (29 overs)
Six runs off the over.
DROPPED! Azhar Ali saved by Malinga's butter fingers at short fine leg, although to be fair it was a worth-it effort.
Dilshan.
Pakistan 110-3 (28 overs)
Four runs off the over. Run rate stuck at 3.92
Siriwardana.
Pakistan 106-3 (27 overs)
Just a single scored off the over by Dilshan.
Pakistan 105-3 (26 overs)
Five runs off Siriwardana's over.
Pakistan 100-3 (25 overs)
Just three runs off his over.
Dilshan has been brought on to bowl.
Pakistan 97-3 (24 overs)
BOWLED! Babar Azam walks back after scoring 12 runs. Shoaib Malik walks in.
Siriwardana.
Pakistan 96-2 (23 overs)
Four runs came off his over.
Malinga.
Pakistan 92-2 (22 overs)
Only three runs off his first over.
Siriwardana is on.
Pakistan 89-2 (21 overs)
Lasith Malinga goes for three runs in his over.
Pakistan 86-2 (20 overs)
FOUR! Babar Azam goes wide of deep midwicket.
Pathirana on.
Pakistan 78-2 (19 overs)
Thisara Perera goes for three runs in his over.
Pakistan 75-2 (18 overs)
OUT! Muhammad Hafeez caught by Mathews off Pathirana on nine runs. Babar Azam is in.
Pakistan 74-1 (17 overs)
Pradeep goes for three runs in his over.
Pakistan 71-1 (16 overs)
SIX! Muhammad Hafeez tells him who is the boss here. A step down the pitch and it goes flying over long-off.
Pathirana again.
Pakistan 59-1 (14 overs)
BOWLED! Ahmed Shehzad's stumps sent flying by the newbie. He misses the sweep and departs for 30 off 43 balls.
Pathirana bowls his second over.
Pakistan 58-0 (13 overs)
Just four runs off it.
Lasith Malinga in for his second over.
Pakistan 54-0 (12 overs)
Just five runs off it.
Debutante Pathirana is brought on to bowl. Can he inspire Sri Lanka in his first outing?
Pakistan 49-0 (11 overs)
He goes for five runs in the over.
Lasith Malinga is brought on to maintain the pressure on the Pakistani openers.
Pakistan 44-0 (10 overs)
FOURx3! Ahmed Shehzad switches on the beast mode. He goes through covers, the towards midwicket and finally beat the fine leg fielder.
Thisara Perera in to replace Pradeep.
Pakistan 32-0 (9 overs)
FOUR! Azhar says its enough to Mathews. He strikes one down the ground past mid-on.
Mathews.
Pakistan 27-0 (8 overs)
FOUR! Azhar Ali with his trademark leg flip towards midwicket off Pradeep.
Sri Lanka are showing great athleticism in the field. Pakistan will have to match up to win this game.
Pakistan 22-0 (7 overs)
And it remains three runs. Four overs for three runs; that is some tight bowling from the Lankan captain.
Mathews continues. He has given just three runs in three over.
There was slight drizzle in the air for a few moments but its has stopped now.
Pakistan 22-0 (6 overs)
FOUR overthrows! Azhar Ali survives a run-out chance on the bowler's end as the throw clips the bails and runs to the boundary.
Nuwan Pradeep is bowling with some serious pace here. Ahmed Shehzad has been left unanswered by a few incoming deliveries.
Pakistan 16-0 (5 overs)
Only three runs off it.
Mathews again.
Pakistan 13-0 (4 overs)
A good expensive over by the Islanders.
FOUR byes! Pardeep delivers a sharp inswinger which leaves Azhar Ali clueless, oh and the keeper missed it as well. Count that as a boundary.
Pacy Nuwan Pradeep to continue.
Pakistan 1-0 (3 overs)
Just a single off the over. Finally, Pakistan off the mark courtesy Azhar Ali's quick single.
Pakistan 0-0 (2 overs)
Second maiden on the trot.
Nuwan Pradeep has been given the new ball.
Pakistan 0-0 (1 over)
The captain bowls a maiden to the captain.
Ahmed Shehzad and Azhar Ali will be opening for Pakistan. It will be amusing to see if they come up with another combination like Muhammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad. In the bowling department, Sri Lanka will surely give the new ball to Lasith Malinga. The captain Angelo Mathews thinks otherwise and brings himself on.
Rain has descended on the stadium. But it's slowing down and the pitch covers are coming off. Match will probably start in another twenty minutes.
Sachith Pathirana is debuting for Sri Lanka.
Toss
Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat first.