Kusal Perera's special knock, Chandimal's patience squares the series 1-1, Sri Lanka v Pakistan 2nd ODI Match Review

Kusal Perera’s special knock, Chandimal’s patience squares the series 1-1, Sri Lanka v Pakistan 2^nd ODI Match Review: Dinesh Chandimal and all-rounder Sachith Pathirana set up a dazzling fight back to take Sri Lanka to a two wicket win at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. The win also leveled the series 1-1 for the host with three games left in the series.

Perera played a swash-buckling innings of 68 from 25 balls including 13 fours and 2 sixes. Dinesh Chandimal held one end up while chasing a stiff target with the hosts struggling at 159 for 5, while chasing 288. Sachith Pathirana and Chandimal also essayed handy knocks. In particular, the Pathirana-Chandimal stand helped Sri Lanka recover from a spot of bother. It got a bit close in the end, but Chandimal steered them home.

Riding on the brilliance of Kusal Perera’s fifty, Sri Lanka overcame their opponents in a keenly fought game and leveled the series 1-1. Perera smashed the bowlers to all corners of the ground and completed his fifty in just 17 balls. He became the second joint fastest to crack a fifty in ODIs and the joint fastest Sri Lankan to reach that landmark filled with pick-up shots over the leg side very much like the one who’s record he equaled, Sanath Jayasuriya.

Dilshan on the other hand also gave good support to Perera. He rotated the strike at will ensuring the youngster had enough support from his end. Though, Kusal Perera’s inning was shortened by Irfan as the opener was caught at square leg boundary.

Tharanga who joined Dilshan at the crease looked fluent in his approach, playing some flamboyant stokes in his short stay at the wicket. Rahat Ali cleaned him up at 28. Dilshan too was dismissed off Rahat as the left arm seamer pulled two-back-to-back wickets for the greens.

With host 3 down for 155, Lanka needed someone like Mathews to stand up and take the responsibility but that was not be, the captain threw his wicket through a mix-up. Two runs later Lahiru Thirimanne ended up being Rahat’s third scalp with the home team tangling at 159 for 5.

But as that was happening, Chandimal had made sure to cross. Chandimal, who had produced a fine half-century four days ago but ended up on the losing side, did not want to feel that disappointment again. He struck a measured 48 off 63 balls and was there until the end, as per his new role as the finisher, and sealed the third highest chase in Sri Lanka.

Chandimal was supported by Siriwardana and particularly SS Pathirana who gave full brace to the wicket-keeper batsman with a fine 52 runs stand for the 9th wicket. Tisara Perera who didn’t look at his best was caught by Shoaib Malik, but the damage was already done as the host swept through the game to square the five match series 1-1.

Earlier on, Azhar Ali overcame a slow start to make his fifth fifty-plus score in eight ODIs; Shoaib Malik struck a run-a-ball fifty to help provide momentum. And finally Mohammad Rizwan hit 52 off 58 balls, and pasted Lasith Malinga for around 20 runs in the 47th over to leave Pakistan with an excellent chance to extend the lead with the score board showing 287 for 8.

Lasith Malinga and Pathirana picked up four wickets between them, but were expensive. Angelo Mathews bowled well with the new ball. Sri Lanka’s fielding too was below par and they dropped a lot of catches. But in the end if you are on the winning side you got more to say and less to answer.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan- 287 for 8 (Azhar Ali 79, Mohammad Rizwan 52, Malinga 2-64) lost by 2 wickets

Sri Lanka- 288 for 8 in 48.1 overs ( Kusal Perera 68, Chandimal 48*, Rahit Ali 3-73)