Intensely aggressive Sri Lanka square the ODI Series, Sri Lanka v Pakistan 2nd ODI- Statistical Review

Intensely aggressive Sri Lanka square the ODI Series, Sri Lanka v Pakistan 2nd ODI- Statistical Review: After being defeated in the first ODI, Sri Lankans were desperate for a victory in the second ODI at Pallekelle. Rain delayed the start to the second ODI and opting to bat first, Pakistan made a stable start to their innings. And with the aid of small partnerships, they managed to build a decent total of 287 runs on the board at the end of 50 overs. It was quite a tedious task for the Sri Lankans. But they did poise up their innings well and in the end went par the victory margin with 2 wickets to spare. Thus, the 5-match series got squared at 1-1 after the first two ODIs.

The Match in Numbers:

• Number of fours hit by Sri Lanka/Pakistan: 29/20
• Number of Sixes hit by Sri Lanka/Pakistan: 3/6
• Number of wide deliveries bowled by Sri Lanka/Pakistan: 9/7
• Total Number of dot deliveries bowled by Sri Lanka/Pakistan : 131/140
• Highest Scorer of the Match: Azhar Ali (79 off 104 deliveries with 6 fours)
• Highest wicket taker of the Match: Rahat Ali (9.1-0-73-3)
• Total Runs Scored in the Match: 575/16 in 98.1 overs

The other Statistical Facts of the Match:

• Angelo Mathews was run out today and it was the 55^th time when Mathews was involved in run outs in international career since his debut. This is the most by any player.
• Kusal Perera scored 68 runs in 25 deliveries. He reached his half century in just 17 deliveries. This marked the second fastest fifty in ODIs and the joint-fastest for Sri Lanka along with Sanath Jayasuriya.
• Malinga was quite much expensive at the death overs today. His 9^th over of today’s match marked the 4^th instance where he conceded 20 or more runs in an over in international cricket.
• In the eight ODIs as the captain of Pakistan, Azhar Ali has struck 5 half centuries and scored 537 runs at an average of over 67.
• Shoaib Malik hit his 33^rd half century today. Remarkably, it was his 7^th half century against Sri Lanka. He is yet to make a century against Sri Lanka.
• The average of Pakistani opening stand in ODIs in this year has been 54.11. This happens to be the best by any team. The opening pair has got 4 hundreds and 3 fifty stands in 2015.
• It was Angelo Mathews’ 36^th victory as the captain of Sri Lanka in 69 matches. He has lost a total of 30 ODIs and has a win percentage of 54.54.