Madushanka’s Five-Wicket Burst Rattles Pakistan as Sri Lanka Eyes Final Spot

LAHORE: Dilshan Madushanka delivered a career-defining performance, claiming a personal best five-wicket haul to bowl Pakistan out for just 110 in Lahore on Tuesday, significantly boosting Sri Lanka’s chances of securing a place in the tri-series final.

The left-arm spinner finished with figures of 5-34, well-supported by Sahan Arachchige’s 2-24, as the duo dismantled the Pakistani batting lineup in only 25.3 overs. The dominance began after Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to field at the Qaddafi Stadium.

Following their narrow one-wicket victory over England on Sunday, where they chased down 242, Pakistan struggled badly with the bat. Babar Azam top-scored with 29, while Hasan Nawaz offered minimal resistance with 17.

Sri Lanka, needing a win to advance to face Pakistan in the final on Sunday and displace England, maintained consistent pressure throughout the innings.

Madushanka triggered the collapse early, dismissing out-of-form opener Fakhar Zaman for five in the fourth over.

Azam and Saad Baig briefly stabilized with a 23-run partnership for the third wicket, but Madushanka struck again to remove Baig for five. Arachchige then accounted for Salman Agha, trapped LBW for nine.

In the very next over, Azam fell leg-before to Eshan Malinga, further decimating Pakistan’s middle order.

Madushanka sealed his five-wicket haul by removing Shaheen Shah Afridi (15) and Haris Rauf (1), ensuring Pakistan remained well short of a competitive total.

This performance surpassed Madushanka’s previous best of 5-80, which he achieved against India during the 2023 World Cup in Mumbai.

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