Sri Lanka fight back to level Pakistan series

Dinesh Chandimal celebrates after victory in the second One Day International (ODI) match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Kusal Perera hits a boundary during the second One Day International (ODI) match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele yesterday. He top scored with 68 off 25 balls with 13 fours and two sixes and set the stage for a crucial victory - Pic by Shantha Rathnayake

AFP: Dinesh Chandimal hit an unbeaten 48 to guide Sri Lanka to a series-levelling two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second one-day international in Pallekele on Wednesday.

Chasing Pakistan's challenging 287-8, the hosts recovered from 159-5 to post 288-8 with 11 balls to spare in a tense finish to the day-night match.

Chandimal led the fightback by adding 37 for the sixth wicket with Milinda Siriwardana (26), 52 for the seventh with debutant Sachith Pathirana (33) and 37 for the eighth with Thisara Perera.

Perera was eighth out when three more runs were needed for victory, but Lasith Malinga kept his cool amid mounting tension before Chandimal hit the winning run.

Pakistan had won the first match in Dambulla by six wickets last Saturday to take the lead in the five-match series.

Ninth-ranked Pakistan need a series win to stay in contention for a place in the eight-nation Champions Trophy in England in 2017.

Sri Lanka, currently ranked fifth, are assured of taking part in the tournament.

Opener Kusal Perera gave Sri Lanka a rollicking start with a breezy 68 off 25 balls that included 13 boundaries and two sixes.

The left-hander raced to 50 off just 17 balls, just one delivery short of equalling South African AB de Villiers' record for the fastest half-century in 16 balls.

Kusal matched his countryman and idol Sanath Jayasuriya's feat of a 17-ball 50 as he put on 92 for the first wicket with Tillakaratne Dilshan off just 8.2 overs.

Dilshan's 47 carried Sri Lanka to a commanding 140-1 in the 19th over when Pakistan hit back with four wickets for 19 runs, three of them in successive overs in the space of four runs.

Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews said he was relieved to win after his team's sloppy catching that let Pakistan off the hook.

“Both teams made a real game out of it,” said Mathews. “Kusal and Dilshan gave a really good start, but I thought Chandimal was brilliant with the way he pulled it through with the others.

“Our terrible display of fielding was embarrassing, to be honest, but we tried to put it behind us when we batted.” - 'Series open' - ================= Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali said Kusal Perera took the game away from his team at the start.

“I thought we had a decent total on the board, but the first 10 overs were crucial,” he said. “It was tough to come back after the way Kusal Perera batted, but I am proud of my team for fighting back.

“When we took five wickets we needed to take some more quickly, but could not. The series is open and I am confident we will come back strongly in the next game.” Pakistan's innings revolved around three half-centuries, including a 52 off 38 balls by Mohammad Rizwan towards the end that boosted the total.

Azhar played a captain's innings of 79 and senior pro Shoaib Malik made a run-a-ball 51, the pair adding 83 for the fourth wicket after the tourists won the toss and elected to bat.

But Rizwan stole the show with five boundaries and a six as the tourists plundered 88 runs in the last 10 overs.

Anwar Ali, who put on 56 for the seventh wicket with Rizwan, returned unbeaten on 29 off 20 balls.

The third match will be played at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo on Sunday.

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    AFP 151819 GMT JUL 15