Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the fifth match of the ODI tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium, securing a place in the final and knocking winless England out of the tournament.
Chasing a modest target of 111, Sri Lanka completed the victory in the 19th over with more than 30 overs to spare, thanks to an unbeaten half-century from Kamindu Mendis.
Kamindu and Avishka Fernando provided an aggressive start, bringing up their 50-run opening partnership in the seventh over before Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi dismissed Fernando for 16.
Arafat Minhas then removed Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis for eight after the ball deflected off his bat and struck the stumps.
Kamindu continued his impressive innings, reaching his fifth ODI half-century. He also survived a catching opportunity when Ghazi Ghori stepped on the boundary rope while completing the catch, resulting in a six.
He finished unbeaten on 62 off 60 balls, including eight fours and two sixes, while Pavan Rathnayake contributed 23 runs to guide Sri Lanka home.
Earlier, Pakistan’s batting lineup collapsed against Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, with Dilshan Madushanka leading the charge with a five-wicket haul.
Fakhar Zaman fell for five in the fourth over, while Maaz Sadaqat managed eight as Pakistan slipped to 23-2 in 6.2 overs. Madushanka then removed Saad Baig for five to deepen the hosts’ troubles.
Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha attempted to rebuild the innings, but their 15-run partnership ended when Sahan Arachchige dismissed Agha for nine.
Babar top-scored with 29 off 33 balls before falling to Eshan Malinga, leaving Pakistan struggling at 61-5 in 13.1 overs.
Shadab Khan, who scored his maiden ODI century against England in the previous match, failed to repeat his performance and was dismissed for just two runs.
Arafat Minhas contributed 10 before becoming Madushanka’s third victim, while Hasan Nawaz scored 17 before falling to Dunith Wellalage.
Pakistan’s lower order also struggled, although captain Shaheen Afridi struck two sixes during his 15-run knock to help the team cross the 100-run mark.
Madushanka eventually dismissed Shaheen to wrap up Pakistan’s innings for 110, finishing with impressive figures of 5-34 in 8.3 overs.
Arachchige picked up two wickets, while Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga, and Wellalage claimed one each.
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