Sri Lanka crush Pakistan by 129 runs to level series 1-1

KARACHI: Responsible batting by Tillekeratne Dilshan and Thilina Kandamby and accurate bowling guided Sri Lanka to level the One-day International series 1-1 here at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

The first match was won by Pakistan easily by eight wickets at the same venue yesterday.

Chasing an improbable target of 291, Pakistan began disastrously as they lost three quick wickets for only 17 runs.

However, opener Salman Butt and captain Shoaib Malik made a remarkable recovery as both added 108 runs for the fourth wicket but then the world class spinners – Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis – wiped out the remaining wickets for just 36 runs to win the match by an impressive margin of 129 runs.

Muralitharan and Mendis both claimed three wickets each for 19 and 29 runs, respectively whereas paceman Nuwan Kulasekera got two and Sanath Jayasuriya and Thilina Tushara took one wicket each.

For Pakistan, Salman Butt top scored again after hitting an unbeaten hundred in the first ODI yesterday at the same venue. Today, he made 62 with six boundaries. Hew as ably supported by Shoaib Malik, who contributed 54 with five fours and one six.

No other batsman could make any significant score as Pakistan were all out for 161 in 34.5 overs. Eight of their batsmen failed to enter into double-figures.

Earlier, Dilshan and Kandamby hit half-centuries to help Sri Lanka reach a challenging score of 290-8.

Man-of-the-match Dilshan made an impressive 76, his 15th ODI fifty, and Kandamby 59 for his maiden fifty to give impetus to the innings during their 99-run third wicket stand after Sri Lanka were sent into bat by Pakistan.

Chamara Kapugedera scored a breezy 39-ball 44 and skipper Mahela Jayawardene chipped in with 24 to bolster the tourists.

Sri Lanka raced to 43 without loss as Sanath Jayasuriya (19) and Dilshan cut loose against some wayward bowling by Pakistan.

Jayasuriya was out when he went back to play a short delivery from paceman Umar Gul, while Kumar Sangakkara (16) was run out.

From 66-2, Dilshan and Kandamby steadied the innings. Dilshan hit 11 boundaries during his 88-ball knock before was caught by Misbah off Shoaib Akhtar.

The 26-year-old Kandamby batted with resolve, hitting four boundaries off 79 balls.

Umar Gul was the pick of Pakistan bowlers with 4-58.