Tri-series: Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by eight wickets in Lahore

LAHORE: Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the fifth match of the tri-series with an impressive performance. Batting first in the match played in Lahore, the Pakistan team were bowled out for just 110 in 25.3 overs.

In reply, Sri Lanka reached the target in 18.1 overs for the loss of two wickets. Pakistan’s batters struggled from the start.

Fakhar Zaman was out for 5 and Muaz Sadaqat for 8, while Babar Azam resisted with 29 runs off 33 balls. Saad Baig made 5 and Salman Agha 9. Hasan Nawaz scored 17 off 31 balls, but he too could not take the team to a big total.

Shadab Khan made 2, Arafat Minhas 10 and Haris Rauf 1 before returning to the pavilion, while captain Shaheen Shah Afridi scored 15 off 13 balls. Naseem Shah remained not out on 2.

For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madushanka took five wickets for 34 runs, while Sahan Arachchige dismissed two batters. Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga and Dunith Wellalage took one wicket each.

Chasing an easy target of 111, Sri Lanka played aggressively. Despite losing the first two wickets, they gave the Pakistani bowlers no further chance. Kamindu Mendis played an unbeaten innings of 62 off 60 balls, including eight fours and two sixes. Pavan Rathnayake remained not out on 23 off 26 balls and took the team to victory.

Avishka Fernando scored 16 off 17 balls and captain Kusal Mendis 8 off 6 balls. For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Arafat Minhas took one wicket each.

After Sri Lanka’s win, the England team are out of the race for the final.