DUBAI: Sri Lanka started their innings well, but Hasan Ali got the breakthrough Pakistan wanted when he sent Niroshan Dickwella back to the pavilion. Upul Tharanga then brought up his 35th half century and put together a good partnership with Dinesh Chandimal. However, both Chandimal and Tharanga were removed in quick succession by Shadab Khan.
Sri Lanka looked poised for a big score but Hasan Ali dismissed Kapugedera and Junaid Khan removed Siriwardana. Jeffrey Vandersay was also removed cheaply by Hasan Ali. Pakistan will look to seal the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi. Having won eight of their last nine ODIs, Pakistan, the ICC Champions Trophy winners, look to be on a roll.
In the second ODI on Monday, Babar Azam claimed a share of one-day international history as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 32 runs. In knocking 101 off 133 deliveries, Babar Azam became the first player in ODI cricket to score five consecutive centuries in the same country. Sri Lanka were found wanting with the bat and, despite Upul Tharanga replicating Babar’s heroics by racking up an unbeaten 112, it was not enough to rescue a result for his side.
