Pakistan whitewash Sri Lanka

It was only a matter of time on Sunday afternoon in Rawalpindi — Pakistan extended their series dominance with another commanding win in the third ODI. The target was not big and the risk was low, but early wickets made Pakistan’s batting look shaky. From there, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan rebuilt the innings.

Chasing 212, Haseebullah was out on the seventh ball. At 8–1 pressure built, but a 74-run stand between Babar Azam and Fakhar restored rhythm. Fakhar played a sparkling 55 off 45 balls with eight boundaries for his nineteenth half-century. Babar also attempted to build a long innings but fell for 34 to a superb spell from Vihanga de Silva Vandersay.

At 101–4 Pakistan were again under pressure. Rizwan and Hussain Talat then shifted the match with calm batting. Rizwan finished unbeaten on 61 and Talat scored 42. Their 100-run stand secured an easy win for Pakistan in the 45th over.

Earlier, Sri Lanka started reasonably well with a 50-run opening stand between Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Mishara, but Pakistan’s sharp bowling attack broke through. Haris Rauf, Wasim Junior and Faisal Akram took wickets one after another. Wasim Junior was the most successful, taking 3 for 47 in 10 overs.

Samarawickrama scored 48 and Rathnayake made 32, but Sri Lanka could not push beyond 210. Pakistan’s current form proved that the total was never enough.