Pakistan delivered a complete performance to seal a 3-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka, chasing down 212 with six wickets and 32 balls to spare in the third ODI at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Half-centuries from Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman, backed by a disciplined pace attack, ensured Pakistan wrapped up their second successive series triumph under new captain Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Wasim Jr Leads Ruthless Bowling Display
Electing to bowl, Pakistan’s pacers dismantled Sri Lanka with combined figures of 7 for 146, led by Player of the Match Mohammad Wasim Jr, who finished with 3 for 47. Sri Lanka, after a brisk start, were bowled out for 211 in 45.2 overs.
Shaheen praised both his frontline quicks and the depth in his attack.
Winning the series 3–0 is always good. Everyone was confident and in good touch. The rotation policy is working for us. Credit to Faisal Akram, he was sitting on the bench, but bowled really well today. And the way Haris and Wasim bowled in the middle overs was very good.
Sri Lanka’s bright opening burst, racing to 55 in eight overs, was cut short by Haris Rauf, who removed Pathum Nissanka before Wasim Jr struck twice to dismiss Kamil Mishara and break a promising stand between Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama.
Left-arm wrist-spinner Faisal Akram then chipped in with two wickets, including Samarawickrama for a fighting 48, as Sri Lanka lost their way in the middle overs. Debutant Pavan Rathnayake offered late resistance with 32 but was the last man run-out as the innings folded at 211.
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis admitted their batting let them down.
Five top batters started well but didn't continue. That’s why we struggled. I hope we improve going forward. Vandersay bowled really well and gave everything.
Fakhar, Rizwan and Talat Seal the Chase Comfortably
Pakistan’s chase began with an early hiccup, but Fakhar and Babar Azam rebuilt with a fluent 74-run stand. Fakhar’s bright 55 off 45 balls, laced with eight fours, kept Pakistan ahead of the rate before he fell against the run of play. Babar followed for 34 as the hosts slipped to 101 for 3.
A brief stutter came when Salman Ali Agha departed, but from 113 for 4 the match moved decisively Pakistan’s way. Rizwan, unhurried and assured, compiled an unbeaten 61 off 92, while Hussain Talat supported him with a composed 42 not out, the pair adding an unbroken 100-run stand to finish the job in the 45th over.
Sri Lanka’s lone standout with the ball was Jeffrey Vandersay, who returned an impressive 3 for 42. Pakistan’s professional performance, highlighted by sharp pace bowling and measured batting, gave them their third-ever ODI sweep over Sri Lanka, and added further momentum under Shaheen’s leadership.
