Mohammad Yousuf scored a stylish half-century on Wednesday to propel Pakistan to a comfortable four-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the third limited-overs international and a series sweep.
Yousuf backed up Shahid Afridi’s haul of 3-37, and knocks of 46 runs each by opening batsmen Shoaib Malik and Imran Farhat, to secure the win at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.
With a close four-wicket win in a low-scoring game at Premadasa Stadium last Sunday and the first match being abandoned because of rain, the visitors won the three-match series 2-0.
Pakistan’s bowlers bundled Sri Lanka out for 224 in the last over of the innings after Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq won the toss and invited the hosts to bat first.
Pakistan reached their target in the 46th over with four wickets remaining.
Coming in to bowl when the hosts were 86-1 in the 21st over and threatening to post a big total, Afridi picked up the key dismissals of Kumar Sangakkara (22), Kaushal Lokuarachchi (13) and Russel Arnold (0) to push down the scoring rate.
Young batsman Chamara Kapugedera made 50, his maiden half-century, in 74 balls including seven boundaries. Tillakaratne Dilshan amassed a 46-ball 44 that included four boundaries. Seamer Abdul Razzaq bowled 10 tight overs to record 1-35 and Rana Naved took two low order wickets to return figures 2-40.
The visitors made a brisk start with openers Malik and Farhat sharing 61 runs in just 52 balls. Malik cracked 46 in 38 balls including nine fours.
He plundered 10 runs off Muttiah Muralitharan’s first over, but was dismissed in the same over, caught by Kapugedera at extra-cover.
Farhat also made 46 off 52 balls, hitting eight fours. He was stumped by Kumar Sangakkara off Dilshan. Younis Khan also fell to a brilliant stumping from Sangakkara off Muralitharan for 25.
Yousuf mixed patience with aggression in his 53 that came off 73 balls, including six boundaries.
Muralitharan was the pick of the Sri Lanka bowlers, claiming 3-58 runs in his 10 overs. — Sapa-AP