Madushanka’s five-for powers Sri Lanka into tri-series final after Pakistan drubbing

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Sri Lanka stormed into the final of the One-day International tri-series after overwhelming Pakistan by eight wickets, chasing a modest target of 111 in just 18.1 overs at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.</p> <p>Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka delivered a career-best five for 34 to dismantle Pakistan for 110 in 25.3 overs before Kamindu Mendis struck an unbeaten 62 to guide Sri Lanka to 114-2, sealing victory with 31.5 overs to spare.</p> <p>The result confirmed Sri Lanka’s place in Saturday’s final alongside Pakistan, who had already qualified after winning their first three matches. England’s remaining league fixture against Sri Lanka on Thursday consequently became a dead rubber.</p> <p>Pakistan’s batting collapsed against a disciplined Sri Lankan attack after captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to field. The hosts struggled to cope with Madushanka’s short-pitched deliveries and never recovered from losing wickets at regular intervals.</p> <p>Babar Azam top-scored with 29 off 33 balls, including five boundaries, while Hasan Nawaz made 17. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi contributed 15 off 13 deliveries, striking two sixes in a late attempt to lift the total.</p> <p>Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman for five in the fourth over when he mistimed a short delivery from Madushanka and was caught at point. Maaz Sadaqat, making his first appearance in the tri-series after being added to the squad a day earlier, managed eight before Asitha Fernando trapped him leg-before with a yorker.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/TheRealPCB/status/2115054183690940440?s=20'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB/status/2115054183690940440?s=20"></a> </blockquote> </span></div> </figure> <p>Saad Baig fell for five, caught at short cover off Madushanka, while Salman Ali Agha made nine before edging Sahan Arachchige behind. Pakistan were 61-4 when Babar was trapped leg-before by Eshan Malinga for 29, having already lost their two reviews.</p> <p>The collapse gathered pace as Arachchige dismissed Shadab Khan for two and Dunith Wellalage removed Hasan Nawaz, who was caught by Arachchige for 17. Pakistan slumped to 91-8, leaving the lower order with too much to do.</p> <p>Madushanka returned to claim the remaining wickets, dismissing Arafat Minhas for 10 and Haris Rauf for one before ending the innings with Shaheen’s wicket. The Pakistan captain’s brief counterattack included two sixes, but he was caught by Wellalage as Madushanka completed his five-wicket haul. Arachchige took two wickets, while Asitha, Malinga and Wellalage claimed one apiece.</p> <p>Sri Lanka’s reply began aggressively, with Kamindu and Avishka Fernando putting on 50 for the opening wicket in 6.5 overs. Avishka struck two fours in his 17-ball 16 before pulling Shaheen to Fakhar at short midwicket.</p> <p>Kamindu, however, continued to score freely, reaching his half-century off 43 balls. He survived a dropped catch in Shaheen’s opening over and successfully reviewed an lbw decision before going on to finish unbeaten on 62 from 60 deliveries, with eight fours and two sixes.</p> <p>Pakistan briefly found another breakthrough when Kusal, who had struck two boundaries in his six-ball eight, was bowled by Arafat for 8. The dismissal came in unusual fashion, as the ball ricocheted off the batter’s bat and into the stumps.</p> <p>But the hosts could not build on the wicket. Pavan Rathnayake joined Kamindu and remained unbeaten on 23 off 26 balls, striking two fours as the pair guided Sri Lanka home without further loss.</p> <p>Kamindu’s fluent innings ensured the chase remained firmly under control, while Rathnayake finished the contest by driving Maaz’s spin through cover-point for four.</p> <p>Shaheen and Arafat took one wicket each, but Pakistan’s total left their bowlers with little margin for error.</p> <p>Sri Lanka completed a comprehensive victory that capped a strong turnaround in the tournament, with their batters having also impressed in their earlier win over England.</p> <p>For Pakistan, the defeat exposed familiar top-order weaknesses after their dramatic one-wicket victory over England on Sunday. Shadab’s unbeaten century had rescued that match, but this time the batting line-up failed to provide a competitive total.</p> <p>Madushanka’s outstanding spell proved decisive, giving Sri Lanka the momentum to secure qualification and setting up a final against Pakistan on Saturday.</p> This development from dawn.com highlights ongoing changes in the sector.