Madushanka’s five-for powers Sri Lanka into tri-series final after Pakistan drubbing

Sri Lanka stormed into the final of the One-day International tri-series after overwhelming Pakistan by eight wickets, chasing a modest target of 111 in just 18. 1 overs at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday. Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka delivered a career-best five for 34 to dismantle Pakistan for 110 in 25. 3 overs before Kamindu Mendis struck an unbeaten 62 to guide Sri Lanka to 114-2, sealing victory with 31. 5 overs to spare. The result confirmed Sri Lanka’s place in Saturday’s final alongside Pakistan, who had already qualified after winning their first three matches. England’s remaining league fixture against Sri Lanka on Thursday consequently became a dead rubber. Pakistan’s batting collapsed against a disciplined Sri Lankan attack after captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to field.

The hosts struggled to cope with Madushanka’s short-pitched deliveries and never recovered from losing wickets at regular intervals. Babar Azam top-scored with 29 off 33 balls, including five boundaries, while Hasan Nawaz made 17. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi contributed 15 off 13 deliveries, striking two sixes in a late attempt to lift the total. Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman for five in the fourth over when he mistimed a short delivery from Madushanka and was caught at point. Maaz Sadaqat, making his first appearance in the tri-series after being added to the squad a day earlier, managed eight before Asitha Fernando trapped him leg-before with a yorker. Saad Baig fell for five, caught at short cover off Madushanka, while Salman Ali Agha made nine before edging Sahan Arachchige behind. Pakistan were 61-4 when Babar was trapped leg-before by Eshan Malinga for 29, having already lost their two reviews. The collapse gathered pace as Arachchige dismissed Shadab Khan for two and…