Tributes poured in on Sunday after Pakistan’s emphatic ODI series against visiting Sri Lanka, with national leaders and cricket officials praising the team’s performance and the spirit of the competition.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the team in a message on
Sharif added that he “congratulates our national team for winning the ODI series against Sri Lanka” and also praised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi and his team “for their great efforts.”
He then thanked the visitors, noting that “the Sri Lankan players and management once again reflected the enduring friendship between our two nations.”
PCB’s Naqvi also praised the performance in a separate post. He said: “Well done guys, congratulations to all the players for a brilliant clean sheet in the ODI series against Sri Lanka after also winning the T20I series.
“Back-to-back dominant performances, proud of our players, coaches and management for their hard work and spirit.”
He urged fans to continue supporting the team, saying: “Please trust and believe in these guys, they are giving everything for the country.”
The PCB chairman also mentioned Haris Rauf and noted, “Special congratulations to Haris Rauf on the Man of the Series award, excellent bowling.”
The cricket czar concluded by celebrating the moment for Pakistan cricket and its supporters: “A great moment for Pakistan cricket and our fans.”
Fakhar Zaman and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan, after a disciplined bowling performance, helped Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in the third one-day international (ODI) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday to sweep the three-match series.
Chasing 212, Pakistan crossed the finish line in 44.4 overs with six wickets in hand and won the series 3-0.
The experienced duo of Babar Azam and Fakhar then steadied the innings and forged a 74-run second-wicket partnership that helped Pakistan reach 82-2 in 15.2 overs.
Fakhar continued his good form, scoring 55 off 45 balls, including eight boundaries, to record his 19th ODI fifty before being dismissed by Jeffrey Vandersay.
Mohammad Rizwan joined Babar Azam to accelerate the scoring and take Pakistan past the 100 mark in the 20th over, with 112 runs still needed from 30 overs.
However, the 21st over proved costly as Vandersay dismissed Babar for 34 off 52 deliveries, leaving the team at 101-3. Vandersay struck again, removing Salman Ali Agha for six, putting Pakistan under pressure at 101-4.
Rizwan and Hussain Talat then combined to rebuild the innings, scoring steadily and taking Pakistan past the 150-run mark.
Their crucial 50-run partnership for the fifth wicket eased the pressure and pushed the team to 167-4 after 37 overs.
