PALLAKELE // Dinesh Chandimal (48) built on Kusal Perera’s joint-fastest half-century for a Sri Lankan to guide the hosts to a series-levelling two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second one-day international on Wednesday.
Chasing Pakistan’s challenging 287 for eight, the hosts recovered from 159 for five to win with 11 balls to spare in a tense finish. Chandimal led the fightback by adding 37 for the sixth wicket with Milinda Siriwardana (26), 52 for the seventh with debutant Sachith Pathirana (33) and 37 for the eighth with Thisara Perera.
Pakistan had won the first match in Dambulla by six wickets to take the lead in the five-match series.
Ninth-ranked Pakistan need a series win to stay in contention for a place in the eight-nation Champions Trophy in England in 2017. Sri Lanka, currently ranked fifth, are assured of taking part in the tournament.
Opener Kusal gave Sri Lanka a rollicking start with a breezy 68 off 25 balls that included 13 boundaries and two sixes. The left-hander raced to 50 off just 17 balls, just one delivery short of equalling South African AB de Villiers’ record for the fastest half-century in 16 balls.
Kusal matched his countryman and idol Sanath Jayasuriya’s feat of a 17-ball 50 as he put on 92 for the first wicket with Tillakaratne Dilshan off just 8.2 overs. Dilshan’s 47 carried Sri Lanka to a commanding 140 for one in the 19th over when Pakistan hit back with four wickets for 19 runs.
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