NEW DELHI: Pakistan wrapped up their white-ball series with a dominant six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the final ODI, finishing with 32 balls to spare. Mohammad Rizwan (61 not out) and Fakhar Zaman (55) posted back-to-back half-centuries, guiding Pakistan to a comfortable 215-4 in 44.4 overs on Sunday.

Sri Lanka had earlier squandered a promising start, eventually being bowled out for 211 in 45.2 overs after Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and elected to field.

Zaman and Babar Lead Chase

Fakhar Zaman, following his 78 in the second ODI, continued his form with a fluent half-century after co-opener Haseebullah Khan fell for a 12-ball duck in his first game of the series. Zaman and Babar Azam (34) then steadied the innings with a 76-run partnership as Sri Lanka’s pacers struggled with a wet ball due to dew.

Zaman reached his 50 off 39 balls with seven boundaries before leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay (3-42) struck with three wickets in the middle overs. Kamindu Mendis’ diving catch at deep mid-wicket ended Zaman’s 45-ball knock in the 16th over, and Babar was dismissed after misreading Vandersay’s delivery. Vandersay also successfully trapped Salman Ali Agha (6) LBW as Pakistan slipped to 115-4 in the 25th over.

Rizwan, playing his 100th ODI, combined with Hussain Talat (42 not out) to guide Pakistan through a comfortable finish with an unbeaten century partnership.

Sri Lanka’s Batting Collapses

Sri Lanka’s top order, led by Kamil Mishara (29) and Pathum Nissanka (24), provided a promising 55-run start but soon fell to disciplined Pakistan pace bowling. Nissanka was bowled by Haris Rauf (2-38), while Mishara was caught behind by Mohammad Wasim (3-47).

Stand-in captain Kusal Mendis, filling in for Charith Asalanka, was clean bowled for 34, and Sadeera Samarawickrama top-scored with 48 before being dismissed by Faisal Akram (2-42), making his first ODI in a year. Debutant Pavan Rathnayake made 32 off 37 but was the last man out as Sri Lanka posted the series’ lowest total.

Pakistan will now host Zimbabwe in a T20 tri-series along with Sri Lanka as preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup. All matches will be played in Rawalpindi, with the tri-series opener between Pakistan and Zimbabwe scheduled for Tuesday.

The white-ball tour had been under question after a suicide bombing outside an Islamabad court killed 12 people hours before the first ODI in Rawalpindi. However, Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed the tour would continue following security reassurances from the Pakistan Cricket Board.

(With PTI Inputs)