PAK VS SL - 3rd ODI, Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan, 2019

A much improved performance from Sri Lanka tonight. Their batting was the main difference between today and the previous game and they would want to carry it forward into the T20Is as well. One-Day cricket returned to Pakistan after ten years and Sarfaraz and Co. did not disappoint their supporters as they won the series 2-0. However, they would have loved for more people to come and watch them play and since the T20Is are in Lahore there still might be some hope of seeing a full house. The first of the three T20Is is on Saturday and we will be here bringing you all the action. Until then it is a goodbye from Akshay Maanay on behalf of Varun Dixit and our scorer Sulthan.

Sarfaraz Ahmed | Pakistan captain: It is not an easy task to chase a target but credit goes to Abid Ali on the way he started. All the batsmen put their hands up and that's why we chased the target down. The fielding was not up to the mark and if we field like that, we would not win many matches. I am honoured to play in Pakistan. They are a strong team and T20 is a format where anything can happen on that particular day.

Lahiru Thirimanne | Sri Lanka captain: I am really proud because they (the boys) fought really hard. It was a good total but we did not execute our plans in the first ten overs. But really proud of the boys. In the first ODI, Dasun (Shanaka) and Shehan (Jayasuriya) batted really well and in this game Danushka (Gunathilaka) took his opportunity. It is very exciting as it was my first time in Pakistan and I enjoyed my experience. I would encourage other teams to come here and play.

Babar Azam | Man of the Series: My first hundred in Pakistan, so I am really proud of that innings. The wicket was slow and difficult conditions to bat in. The series win has given us the confidence going into the T20Is.

Abid Ali | Man of the Match: I got the opportunity and I played a good innings. I would like to thank the team management for giving me this opportunity. I am grateful to the fans who have come here to watch us play.

23:07 Local Time, 18:07 GMT, 23:37 IST: Pakistan are not known for run-chases in ODIs as their record in the last five years suggest and hence this victory makes it special. Abid Ali set the ball rolling by getting off to a flier and also allowing Zaman to play himself in. The duo added a 123-run stand for the opening wicket and though they lost a couple of wickets around the 180-mark, that opening partnership ensured they stayed ahead in the game. Sri Lanka kept clawing back into the contest but an expensive 46th over from Kumara tilted it in favour of the home side. Credit to Haris Sohail as well who kept his composure and took Pakistan close to the finish line. Presentations coming up..

Pradeep to Iftikhar Ahmed, FOUR, Pakistan win by 5 wickets. This is their highest successful chase in the last three years. Only the second time they have chased over 275 in the last five years. Another bad delivery from Pradeep and that is enough for Iftikhar to seal the game. Full and down leg, Iftikhar stays put in the crease and glances it fine of short fine leg

Pradeep to Iftikhar Ahmed, SIX, oh no! Pradeep chose a poor time to deliver a full toss. It was just above the knee and at a perfect height for Iftikhar, who helps it all the way over fine leg for a maximum

Jayasuriya to Iftikhar Ahmed, 1 run, slower and outside off, Iftikhar drops it into the off-side and retains strike

Jayasuriya to Riaz, 1 run, flighted delivery and Riaz slog sweeps it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket

Wahab Riaz, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Jayasuriya to Haris Sohail, out Bowled!! Bowled 'im! Sohail cannot believe it. He stands there in disbelief and asks his partner whether he's really bowled. Nothing but a straight ball to which Sohail makes room to carve it into the off-side, misses and the ball hits the top of off-stump. Jayasuriya generally darts it in and he defeated the batsman because of his pace there. Sohail has taken Pakistan close to victory and now it is up to others to take them over the line. Haris Sohail b Jayasuriya 56(50) [4s-3 6s-1]

Jayasuriya to Haris Sohail, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Jayasuriya to Iftikhar Ahmed, 1 run, goes back and across to nurdle the off-break backward of square

Jayasuriya to Iftikhar Ahmed, no run, slower and turning in, Iftikhar defends it adjacent to the wicket on the off-side

Jayasuriya to Haris Sohail, 1 run, drifting in from round the wicket and Sohail eases it to long-on

Shehan Jayasuriya [6.0-0-35-0] is back into the attack

Pradeep to Iftikhar Ahmed, no run, very full and close to yorker length, Iftikhar squeezes it back to Pradeep

Pradeep to Haris Sohail, 1 run, slower delivery and Sohail wrists it away to long-on

Pradeep to Haris Sohail, FOUR, that's superbly played by Sohail. He was backing away and had to really reach out to this low full toss, he bends down and gets there, opens the bat face and places it behind point for a boundary