Pakistan claim series win

Second One Day International

Abu Dhabi
Pakistan 313-9 Innings Complete (Salman Butt 74, Yasir Hameed 50) v Sri Lanka 215 (D P M D Jayawardene 61)
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 98 runs

Pakistan have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match one-day international series with Sri Lanka, beating their tourists by 98 runs in Abu Dhabi.

In only their second appearance since their disappointing World Cup first round exit, Pakistan posted an impressive 313 for nine in the first innings.

The bowlers then did their job, skittling Sri Lanka out for a measly 215 off 39.5 overs to claim a 98-run victory.

Shahid Afridi showed his capabilities as an all-rounder, backing up his match-winning knock in the first match with bowling figures of 3-37.

Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami and Umar Gul all chipped in with two wickets apiece as the World Cup finalists were given a tough time in Abu Dhabi.

Salman Butt (74) top-scored this time with the bat for Pakistan, while Yasir Hameed (50) was one of several players to contribute in the middle order.

Butt and Hameed put on 98 to set up the victory before the latter finally departed caught-and-bowled by Malinga Bandara.

When Butt eventually left the crease he also fell to a return catch, but Mohammad Yousuf ensured the innings kept its momentum with a quick 37.

After his batting heroics in the first encounter Afridi could only contribute a solitary run with the bat this time, but Sami weighted in with a rapid 22 to take the score past 300.

Bandara and Farveez Maharoof claimed the credit in the Sri Lankan bowling attack, taking 3-56 and 3-65 respectively.

Their reply started in blistering fashion, with 37 runs coming off the first five overs.

However, Chamara Kapugedera lost his middle stump and wickets continued to fall regularly from there.

Mahela Jayawardene's 61 provided the only real resistance but when he was bowled with the score on 188-7, the writing was on the wall.

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