Pakistan secured their third clean sweep against Sri Lanka in ODI series, recording a six-wicket win in the third and final match of the series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
This victory also marked Pakistan’s fourth consecutive win over Sri Lanka in ODIs, as well as their fourth consecutive ODI series victory, highlighting the team’s dominance over their neighbours in recent encounters.
READ: Babar Azam’s century secures Pakistan’s ODI series victory
Chasing a modest target of 212, Pakistan’s innings started on a tense note as opener Haseebullah Khan was dismissed for a duck off twelve balls by Maheesh Theekshana, leaving the team at 8-1 after just four overs.
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The experienced pair of Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman then steadied the innings with a 74-run partnership for the second wicket, bringing some stability to the top order.
Fakhar Zaman continued his fine form, scoring his second consecutive ODI fifty with a fluent 55 off 45 balls, including eight boundaries, before being dismissed by Jeffrey Vandersay.
READ: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI Series: H2H, Squads & Where to Watch
Mohammad Rizwan joined Babar Azam to accelerate the chase, helping Pakistan cross the 100-run mark.
However, Vandersay struck again, dismissing Babar for 34 off 52 balls, leaving the score at 101-3.
He soon removed Salman Ali Agha for six, putting Pakistan under pressure at 115-4.
Rizwan then joined Hussain Talat to rebuild the innings, steadily adding runs and taking Pakistan past the 150-run mark.
Their partnership proved crucial, adding 100 runs for the fifth wicket and guiding Pakistan to a six-wicket victory in the 45th over.
READ: Tri-Nation T20I Series: Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe Squads, Schedule & Where to Watch
Rizwan remained composed throughout, finishing unbeaten on 61 off 92 balls, while Talat contributed a vital 42 not out, ensuring the team comfortably crossed the 200-run mark to seal the win.
Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers had kept Sri Lanka under control, restricting them to 211 all out in 45.2 overs.
The visitors started steadily, with Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara putting together a solid opening stand of 55 runs.
Haris Rauf broke the partnership, dismissing Nissanka for 24 off 27 balls.
Mishara added 14 runs with stand-in captain Kusal Mendis before being dismissed for 29 by Mohammad Wasim Jr.
Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama tried to rebuild with a 43-run partnership for the third wicket, but Wasim Jr struck again, sending Mendis back for 34.
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Faisal Akram added further pressure by removing Kamindu Mendis for 10, while Faheem Ashraf dismissed Janith Liyanage for four, reducing Sri Lanka to 143-5 in the 31st over.
Samarawickrama top-scored for the visitors with 48 off 65 balls but was trapped by Akram.
Shaheen Afridi removed Maheesh Theekshana for seven, leaving Sri Lanka at 180-7.
Wasim Jr then claimed his third wicket, dismissing Jeffrey Vandersay for four.
Pavan Rathnayake added some valuable runs but was run out for 32, while Haris Rauf dismissed Pramod Madushan for seven, leaving the team at 210-9.
Rathnayake’s dismissal marked the end of Sri Lanka’s innings.
READ: Pakistan secures thrilling win over Sri Lanka in ODI series opener
Mohammad Wasim Jr finished with impressive figures of 3/47 in 10 overs, while Faisal Akram and Haris Rauf took two wickets each.
Shaheen Afridi and Faheem Ashraf also contributed with a wicket apiece.
Both teams will now feature in the T20I tri-series, also involving Zimbabwe, starting November 18, with the opening match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
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Pakistan secure six-wicket win
Hussain Talat and Mohammad Rizwan guide Pakistan to a strong chase. Team seals 3-0 series whitewash with clinical batting display.
10:14 pm -
Rizwan reaches half-century as Pakistan nears target
Mohammad Rizwan remains unbeaten on 52, keeping Pakistan on track. With 14 runs needed off 42 balls, the chase looks almost done.
10:02 pm -
Rizwan and Talat move Pakistan closer
Mohammad Rizwan and Hussain Talat extend their partnership, keeping the chase smooth. With 27 runs needed off 60 balls, Pakistan remain firmly in control.
9:42 pm -
Pakistan inch closer to victory
Mohammad Rizwan and Hussain Talat keep Pakistan in control with a crucial partnership. With 33 runs needed off 66 balls, the chase looks well within reach.
9:38 pm -
Babar Azam cleaned up
Haseebullah falls for a 12-ball duck as Theekshana strikes early.
8:30 pm -
Fakhar Zaman falls
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 211 in 45.2 overs.
Pakistan will look to chase the target comfortably.
7:45 pm -
Fakhar Zaman brings up fifty off 39 balls
Pramod Madushan departs for 4 off 12 as Mohammad Wasim delivers a sizzling 138kph reverse-swinging yorker to bowl him out, leaving Sri Lanka reeling.
7:40 pm -
Pakistan steady at 46-1 after powerplay
Maheesh Theekshana departs for 7 off 14, trapped lbw by a sharp reverse-swinging delivery from Shaheen Afridi. Sri Lanka’s review confirms the umpire’s call, leaving them struggling at 180 for 7 after 38.5 overs.
7:30 pm -
Haseebullah falls
Sadeera Samarawickrama departs for 48 off 65 as Faisal Akram delivers a sharp spinning delivery that uproots the stumps, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 166 for 6 after 35.2 overs.
7:00 pm -
Sri Lanka bowled out for 211
Sadeera Samarawickrama holds the innings with 48, but Pavan Rathnayake struggles early as Pakistan maintain the upper hand.
Sri Lanka reach 165 for 5 after 35 overs.
6:08 pm -
Wasim takes his third
Janith Liyanage falls cheaply as Faheem Ashraf strikes, chopping a cut back onto the stumps for 4 off 13.
5:55 pm -
Shaheen strikes
Faisal Akram claims his first wicket as Kamindu Mendis departs for 10. A perfectly pitched delivery lures Mendis into a miscue, and he is caught and bowled.
5:36 pm -
Faisal strikes again
Kusal Mendis’ 34-run knock comes to an end as he is bowled by Mohammad Wasim. The 43-run partnership is broken, giving Pakistan a crucial breakthrough.
5:20 pm -
Pakistan continue to keep pressure
Sri Lanka crosses the three-figure mark at 101-2 in 21 overs. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama anchor the innings with steady contributions.
5:16 pm -
Faheem rocks the stumps
Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis look to rebuild the innings after two wickets. Sri Lanka reaches 92 for 2 after 18 overs.
4:54 pm -
Faisal Akram takes his first
Kamil Mishara departs for 29 after edging Mohammad Wasim to Haseebullah Khan. Sri Lanka lose another wicket as Pakistan keeps up the pressure.
4:39 pm -
Kusal Mendis bowled
Pathum Nissanka’s brisk 24 comes to an end as he chops onto his stumps off Haris Rauf. Pakistan gets an early breakthrough to dent Sri Lanka’s strong start.
4:28 pm -
100 up for Sri Lanka
Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka provide early momentum as Sri Lanka reach 35 without loss after the end of five overs.
4:10 pm -
Sri Lanka steady at 92-2
Waqar Younis notes visible moisture and extra grass, suggesting seamers will enjoy the new ball. He adds that while batting will get easier later, a total around 320 would be above par.
4:00 pm -
Mishara’s knock ends at 29
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Faisal Akram
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk/c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Jeffrey Vandersay
3:33 pm -
Haris Rauf strikes
Pakistan won the toss and chose to field first.
3:15 pm -
Sri Lanka off to a flying start
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, third ODI.
After winning the first and second matches of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan have taken a 2-0 lead and sealed the ODI series.
2:55 pm -
Pitch Report
Waqar Younis notes visible moisture and extra grass, suggesting seamers will enjoy the new ball. He adds that while batting will get easier later, a total around 320 would be above par.
2:10 pm -
Playing XI
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Faisal Akram
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk/c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Jeffrey Vandersay
2:05 pm -
Toss Update
Pakistan won the toss and chose to field first.
2:00 pm -
Welcome to live coverage
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, third ODI.
After winning the first and second matches of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan have taken a 2-0 lead and sealed the ODI series.
7:30 pm
