Spinners help Lanka level series

Karachi, January 21:

Sri Lanka came back strongly with solid batting and bowling to thrash Pakistan by 129 runs in the second day-night international here today. Spinners Muttiah Muralitharan (3-19) and Ajantha Mendis (3-29) capitalised on an early double strike by Nuwan Kulasekara as Sri Lanka bundled Pakistan out for 161 in 34.5 overs after setting the home team a target of 291.

Tillakaratne Dilshan (76) and Thilina Kandamby (59) made solid contributions in Sri Lankan total of 290-8 before bowlers pulled up their socks to help their team level the three-match series 1-1. Pakistan won the first match by eight wickets on Tuesday. The last match is in Lahore on Saturday.

Pakistan were wobbling from the start of their innings. They lost opener Khurram Manzoor (one) in the first over, before Younus Khan (four) and Misbah-ul-haq (one) fell by the fourth over with the score at 17. Salman Butt (62) rescued Pakistan through a 108-run fourth wicket stand with Shoaib Malik (54), raising hopes of win but both fell in successive overs.