Dilshan Madushanka’s 5-34 sends Sri Lanka into tri-series final

Dilshan Madushanka took a career-best 5-34 as Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by eight wickets at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday, in the fifth match of the ODI tri-series, and booked a place in the final.

Pakistan were bowled out for 110 in 25.3 overs. Sri Lanka replied with 114/2 in 18.1 overs, which ended England’s hopes of reaching the final.

The spell

The left-arm pacer’s figures were the best of his ODI career and his second five-wicket haul in the format. Sahan Arachchige supported him with 2-24 as Pakistan folded.

Their 110 is the second-lowest ODI score by Pakistan at home, and Sri Lanka finished with 31.5 overs to spare. Kamindu Mendis was unbeaten on 62 off 60 balls, and Pavan Rathnayake made 23 not out.

A report citing ESPNcricinfo said the win also ended a run of five straight defeats for Sri Lanka against Pakistan. Pakistan had beaten them by 37 runs in the first match of the series on 18 October.

State of the series

Pakistan had already qualified after winning their first three matches, which included a one-wicket win over England on 25 October. Sri Lanka had beaten England by two wickets on 22 October, chasing 430/8 in 49.5 overs against England’s 429/4.

England’s remaining league match, against Sri Lanka on Thursday at 2:00 PM IST, is now a dead rubber. Sri Lanka meet Pakistan again in Saturday’s final.

Pakistan batting coach Mike Smith admitted after the defeat that the batting unit is operating at about 70 per cent of its potential, as Dawn reported, pointing to frailties in the top order ahead of the final.

What’s next

The two sides then meet in a Test series, with the first Test starting on Monday, 9 November at 10:30 AM IST and the second on Tuesday, 17 November at 10:30 AM IST.