England have missed out on qualifying for the ODI tri-series final after Sri Lanka’s bowlers blew Pakistan away on Tuesday to secure an eight-wicket victory in Lahore.
After suffering three defeats at the tournament, Brendon McCullum’s side were left on the brink of elimination and needed Pakistan to win on Tuesday and a victory against Sri Lanka in their final round-robin match on Thursday to stand a chance of advancing.
Instead, Sri Lanka will now face Pakistan in the final on Saturday, October 31, after Gary Kirsten’s side, who won the toss and elected to bowl, dismissed the hosts for 110 in 25.3 overs – Pakistan’s second-lowest ODI total at home.
After captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to field, Dilshan Madushanka starred, taking career-best ODI figures of five for 34.
Kamindu Mendis later led his side to victory, hitting an unbeaten 62 off 60 deliveries, as Sri Lanka chased down Pakistan’s total inside 18.1 overs.
Pakistan’s top-order struggles were highlighted again on Tuesday, with four of their five specialist batters making single figures.
“Unfortunately, for the last three or four games we are collapsing at the top order,” captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said.
“We have three days now and we can practice. We will come back in the final and bat stronger. We need to forget this game quickly and take the positives from the previous games.”
Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for five runs off 13 deliveries by Madushanka inside four overs, before Maaz Sadaqat was pinned lbw for eight by Asitha Fernando.
Madushanka had his second not long after, forcing Saad Baig (5) to clip a ball to short cover, where he was caught by Janith Liyanage.
Salman Agha (9), Babar Azam (29), and Shadab Khan (2) all followed in the space of three overs, leaving Pakistan 64-6.
Another flurry of wickets followed, with Dunith Wellalage forcing Arafat Minhas to edge behind to Mendis, before Madushanka removed all of Hasan Nawaz (17), Harris Rauf (1) and Afridi (15).
Kamindu arrived at the crease and attacked ruthlessly, making eight fours and two sixes.
His opening partner, Avishka Fernando, fell for 16 off 17, before Kusal later departed for eight. Pavan Rathnayake saw out the innings alongside Mendis, making an unbeaten 23.
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