Dilshan And Perera Down Pakistan To Level Series

Dilshan And Perera Down Pakistan To Level Series

Azhar Ali is bowled out by Nuwan Kulasekara as Sri Lanka score a 76-run win in the second ODI in Pallakele

©REUTERS / Action Images

Dilshan And Perera Down Pakistan To Level Series

Tissara Perera returned record figures of six for 44 to bowl Sri Lanka to victory

©REUTERS / Action Images

Sri Lanka 280-4 (Dilshan 119no) beat
Pakistan 204 (Azhar Ali 97, Perera 6-44) by 76 runs
Second One-Day International, Pallakele
Scorecard

Tillakaratne Dilshan cracked an unbeaten century and Tissara Perera took six for 44 as Sri Lanka hit back to beat Pakistan by 76 runs in the second One-Day International in Pallekele.

Dilshan's 119 not out dominated Sri Lanka's innings of 280 for four and despite Azhar Ali's 97, Pakistan were bowled out for 204 in reply.

Perera's haul is the best return for any player against Pakistan in ODI cricket and the ninth best of all time by a Sri Lankan.

Dilshan faced 139 balls, hitting 11 fours and a six during his 13th ODI century, and third of the calendar year as he powered his side to a big score.

He was well supported by Dinesh Chandimal (32), captain Mahela Jayawardene (54) and Tissara Perera, who thumped 24 no not out in 14 balls.

Pakistan lacked control and discipline for long periods with the ball and struggled in the field after Sohail Tanvir and Mohammad Hafeez removed Upul Tharanga (18) and Kumar Sangakkara (19) early.

Pakistan's innings relied heavily on Azhar as no other player could pass 20 but the opener's career-best kept their hopes alive until they were eventually bowled out in 46.2 overs.

He made his runs from 119 balls with 12 fours as wickets tumbled at the other end, Perera taking the first four to fall, dismissing Hafeez (14), Younus Khan (4), Misbah-ul-Haq (37) and Umar Akmal (3).

After Ali fell to Nuwan Kulasekara, Shahid Afridi's blast of 17 in 16 balls was ended when he was caught behind off Lasith Malinga and Pakistan's chances all but went with him.

Sarfraz Ahmed made 20 and Umar Gul 13 but Perera was not to be denied, grabbing the wickets of Tanvir for three and Gul to make history.

Malinga (2-40) and Kulasekara (2-33) completed the win with the wickets of Sarfraz and Saeed Ajmal (4) respectively.

Having won the opening game by six wickets, Pakistan handed a debut to pace bowler Rawat Ali but now head to Colombo with the five-match series tied at 1-1.

© Cricket World 2012