Nov 14 (Reuters) – Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the second one-day international in Rawalpindi to seal the three-game series 2-0 on Friday amid the backdrop of security concerns and tension in the tourists’ camp following a suicide bombing earlier this week.
Sri Lanka cricketers had requested to return home from their Pakistan tour on Wednesday for safety reasons after a suicide bombing in Islamabad, which is close to Rawalpindi, but their board issued a stern directive to stay put or face consequences.
Pakistan then deployed army and paramilitary forces to protect Sri Lanka’s cricket team, with Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir assuring Sri Lankan Defence Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon of the team’s safety.
Chasing 289 for victory, Pakistan’s Babar Azam led the charge with a patient century — his 20th ODI ton and his first in 84 international innings — as the hosts overhauled Sri Lanka’s total with 10 balls to spare.
LANKAN TOP ORDER FAIL TO CAPITALISE
After being put into bat, Sri Lanka started brightly as the openers put up a 51-run stand before Pathum Nissanka was run out attempting a risky third run.
The top order showed promise but could not capitalise, with Sadeera Samarawickrama (42) falling short of a half-century when he was bowled by Haris Rauf.