Dubai: Opener Upul Tharanga and Mahela Jayawardene notched fighting half-centuries to propel Sri Lanka to 235-7 in the second day-night international against Pakistan at Dubai stadium here on Monday.
Tharanga scored 77 while Jayawardene returned to form with 50 as they shared a fourth wicket stand of 85 to lift Sri Lanka, who won the toss and were restricted in the middle overs by a disciplined Pakistan bowling.
The total reflected a big improvement in Sri Lanka’s batting after they were bowled out for a mere 131 during their eight-wicket defeat in the first of a five-match series here last Friday.
Tillakaratne Dilshan and Tharanga gave a solid 56-run start to their team by the 12th over when leg-spinner Shahid Afridi, man-of-the-match in the first match for his 3-27, provided Pakistan with a breakthrough. (AFP)