RAWALPINDI – Fakhar Zaman and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan’s fifties, backed by disciplined bowling, guided Pakistan to a comfortable win over Sri Lanka in the third ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, completing a 3-0 series sweep.
Chasing 212, Pakistan reached the target in 44.4 overs with six wickets in hand. Opener Haseebullah Khan fell for a duck early, leaving Pakistan at 8-1, but experienced duo Babar Azam and Fakhar stabilized the innings with a 74-run partnership. Fakhar scored 55 off 45 balls before falling to Jeffrey Vandersay.
Rizwan then joined Babar to keep the chase on track, surpassing 100 in the 20th over. Despite Vandersay dismissing Babar and Salman Ali Agha in quick succession, Rizwan and Hussain Talat rebuilt the innings with a vital 50-run partnership. Rizwan remained unbeaten on 61 off 92 balls, while Talat contributed 42*, forging an unbeaten 100-run stand to take Pakistan past 200 and seal victory.
Sri Lanka, batting first, got off to a steady start through Pathum Nissanka (24) and Kamil Mishara (29), but early wickets by Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim Jr halted momentum. Sadeera Samarawickrama scored 48 but fell short of a fifty, and late contributions from Pavan Rathnayake (32) could not prevent the team from being bowled out for 211.
Wasim Jr finished with 3/47 in 10 overs, while Faisal Akram and Haris Rauf picked up two wickets each. Shaheen Afridi and Faheem Ashraf claimed one wicket apiece.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Squads
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah Khan.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (captain), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Udara.
Babar Azam’s century powers Pakistan to victory over Sri Lanka in second ODI
