Shadab shines all-round as Pakistan clinch second ODI from Sri Lanka
October 17, 2017
ABU DHABI: Spinner Shadab Khan gave spectacular performances with the bat and ball on Monday, helping Pakistan to a 32-run victory against Sri Lanka in the second day-night international in Abu Dhabi.
The young cricketer first came to the rescue of a shaky Pakistani batting side, scoring an unbeatable 52 off 68 deliveries.
Shadab played the supporting role in an invaluable 109-run seventh-wicket stand with centurion Babar Azam, after Pakistan were left struggling at 101 for 6 on a sluggish Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch.
Pakistan, who had won the toss and chose to bat first, found the going tough as they lost half the side at the end of 20 overs for just 79, but Azam and Shadab led the fightback as Pakistan posted a 220-run target for Sri Lanka.
23-year-old Azam knocked a brilliant 133-ball 101, scoring his second successive century and becomes the quickest to score seven ODI centuries by achieving the feat in just 33 innings.
Later, Shadab spun his magic with the ball, picking up 3 wickets for 47 runs as Pakistan dismantled the Lankan side for 187 in the 48th over.
Sri Lankan skipper Tharanga scored a fighting 112 not-out, adding 76 runs for an eighth-wicket partnership with 9th man Vandersay (22).
Pacer Hasan Ali and spinner Mohammad Hafeez took 1-32 and 1-24 respectively in their 10 overs each.
Today's victory was Pakistan's sixth consecutive in ODIs, with the Green Shirts now having won 8 of their last 10 matches.
Pakistan lead the five-match series 2-0. The remaining matches will be played in Abu Dhabi (October 18) and Sharjah (October 20 and 23).
The two teams will also play three T20 internationals, two in Abu Dhabi (October 26 and 27) while the last is scheduled for Lahore on October 29.
