Pakistan thrash Sri Lanka to take a 2-1 lead in the series

Shehzad put on a 93-run stand with Azhar Ali

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka comfortably by 135 runs to take a vital 2-1 lead in the ODI series with still two matches to go. The match got interrupted during the run chase because of a rock that was thrown onto the playing area by the crowd.

The incident happened during the 34^th over of the innings and immediately the match referee Javagal Srinath suspended play for half an hour. The game resumed again at 10.05 PM when Sri Lanka were already staring down at a heavy defeat (they were 158 for 7).

Once the chase resumed, Pakistan completed the formalities and won the match by a convincing margin of 135 runs to take a lead in the series.

Earlier, Azhar Ali won the toss and Pakistan decided to bat on what looked like a good pitch to bat on. The openers put on a 93-run stand with both players missing out on their half-centuries. Sarfaraz Ahmed coming in at number 4 top scored with 77 as the visitors posted a mammoth total of 316 on the board for the loss of just 4 wickets.

Sri Lanka in reply never looked comfortable in the chase as they kept losing wickets. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah continued to impress as he picked up 4 wickets for just 29 runs in his 10 overs. Lahiru Thirimanne was the top-scorer with 56 runs.

The 4^th ODI will be played on the 22^nd of July at the same venue.