Pakistan suffered a major batting collapse against Sri Lanka in the fifth match of the tri-nation series, managing just 110 runs before being bowled out in 25.3 overs at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday. Left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka led Sri Lanka’s attack with an impressive five-wicket haul, leaving the hosts struggling to build a competitive total.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat, Pakistan struggled from the outset. Their top order failed to establish a solid foundation, with neither of the two opening batters reaching double figures. Regular dismissals prevented the hosts from building momentum, allowing Sri Lanka to maintain control throughout the innings.
Experienced batter Babar Azam offered some resistance at number three. He looked to steady the innings after the early setbacks and initially appeared capable of guiding Pakistan towards a respectable total. However, he was unable to convert his start into a substantial score, departing for 29 runs to finish as his side’s highest scorer.
Babar’s dismissal triggered further problems for Pakistan. Saim Baig and Salman Ali Agha fell in quick succession, leaving the middle order under mounting pressure. With wickets continuing to tumble, Pakistan found it increasingly difficult to recover from their poor start.
Hasan Nawaz attempted to hold one end together while wickets fell at the other. His approach offered a degree of stability, but the lack of support from his team-mates restricted his ability to rebuild the innings. He eventually fell while attempting an attacking shot, scoring 17 off 31 deliveries.
Pakistan’s lower order offered little resistance as Sri Lanka continued to exploit the fragile batting line-up. Shaheen Shah Afridi provided a brief late contribution, scoring 15 runs from just 13 balls. His quickfire effort helped Pakistan cross the 100-run mark, although the innings ended well short of a challenging total.
Madushanka was the standout performer with the ball. He returned figures of five wickets for 34 runs from 8.3 overs, combining accuracy with effective pace to dismantle Pakistan’s batting order. His performance ensured that the hosts never gained the freedom to accelerate their scoring or establish a meaningful partnership.
Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling also played a significant role in Pakistan’s downfall. By taking wickets at regular intervals, the visitors prevented the hosts from recovering after their early setbacks. Pakistan’s inability to form substantial partnerships proved particularly costly, as the innings lacked the stability required to post a competitive score in a limited-overs contest.
The result of the innings leaves Pakistan dependent on their bowlers to keep Sri Lanka’s response under control. Defending a total of only 111 requires early breakthroughs, tight lines and lengths, and sustained pressure on the opposition’s batters.
For Sri Lanka, Madushanka’s five-wicket performance provided an emphatic statement of their bowling strength. For Pakistan, the collapse highlighted the importance of a reliable top-order platform and greater resilience from the middle order when early wickets fall.
