Sri Lanka finish their 50 overs at 325/8, powered by Kamindu Mendis' magnificent 131 and Pavan Rathnayake's valuable 77, in the Grand Final of the ODI Tri-Nation Series in Lahore, Pakistan.
Sri Lanka set a 326-run target for Pakistan during the ODI tri-series final at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
After being put in to bat, Sri Lanka made full use of their 50 overs, maintaining a healthy scoring rate throughout the innings. Openers Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis provided a solid start, bringing up a 50-run partnership for the first wicket.
However, Fernando was the first batter to depart after Salman Ali Agha trapped him lbw, ending the 87-run opening stand. He scored 38 off 49 deliveries, including three boundaries and a six.
Captain Kusal Mendis joined Kamindu at the crease, with the latter continuing to find the boundaries and guiding Sri Lanka past the 100-run mark. Kamindu also brought up his sixth ODI half-century during the partnership.
Salman struck again to dismiss Kusal, completing a caught-and-bowled effort. The Sri Lankan skipper managed just eight off 12 deliveries, including a six, leaving his side at 109-2 in 21.3 overs.
In-form batter Pavan Rathnayake then joined Kamindu, and the pair launched a counter-attack against the Pakistan bowling attack. Their aggressive approach helped consolidate the innings as they brought up a century partnership and propelled Sri Lanka past the 200-run mark.
Kamindu continued to lead the charge and reached his maiden ODI century, strengthening Sri Lanka's position as they looked to post a commanding total.
However, Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi provided the breakthrough by dismissing Kamindu lbw, ending the 146-run third-wicket partnership. The left-hander departed after a magnificent 131 off 128 deliveries, an innings featuring 12 fours and two sixes.
-Agencies
