Pakistan sets huge target of 327 runs

SHARJAH: Pakistan posted the total of 326 runs in the third ODI at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Mohammad Hafeez led the teaM till the end with his highest ODI score 140*, ARY News reported.

Pakistan’s top order again avoided aggression for safety, and the strategy once again rewarded richly in terms of a high total.

Sherjeel Khan dismissed early to a fine Kulasekara delivery that angled in, pitched on leg then jagged away, beating Sharjeel's shot to clip the top of off stump but Ahmed Shehzad along with Hafeez blessed their team with the stand of 160 runs. Both of them played elegant shots, first attacking poor lines from Thisara Perera and Angelo Mathews, before taking calculated – and ultimately fruitful – risks against the spinners.

Later the inning, captain of national cricket team played a handy knock of 40 runs in an aggressive manner hitting 3 fours and 2 sixes.

Umar Akmal remained unbeaten at 23 runs that came in only 12 balls.

Sri Lankan pace bowlers weren’t impressive and were badly punished by the Pakistani batsmen, moreover the spinners got nothing from the track. The track of Sharjah favours batting as the surface that yielded the high-scoring first encounter.

Thisara Perera took 2 wickets but remained expensive conceding 58 runs in 8 overs.