Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the second ODI of the three-match series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, taking a decisive 2-0 lead.

Sri Lanka batted first and posted 288/8 in their allotted 50 overs.

Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara put together a 51-run partnership before Nissanka was run out by Mohammad Rizwan for 24. Mishara followed for 27, stumped off Rizwan’s effort.

Spinners Abrar Ahmed and Haris Rauf then curtailed Sri Lanka’s momentum, claiming key wickets including captain Charith Asalanka for six.

Sadeera Samaraweera and Janith Liyanage added 61 runs for the fifth wicket, but Rauf removed Samaraweera for 42.

Chandika Mendis and Liyanage put on 73 runs for the sixth wicket, with Rauf again breaking through to dismiss Mendis for 44.

Liyanage reached a half-century before being dismissed by Wasim Jr. Sri Lanka’s innings ended at 288, with Wanindu Hasaranga and Pramod Madhushan adding an unbeaten 44-run ninth-wicket partnership.

In reply, Pakistan chased down the target in 48.2 overs with just two wickets down.

Mohammad Rizwan and the Pakistani bowlers, including Abrar Ahmed and Haris Rauf, played pivotal roles in restricting Sri Lanka while setting up a comfortable chase.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha led the side in the absence of Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was unwell. Two changes were made to Pakistan’s playing XI with Abrar Ahmed and Wasim Jr. returning for Faheem Ashraf and Afridi.

The match had faced initial uncertainty following a security incident in Islamabad that delayed the original schedule. The Sri Lankan Cricket Board confirmed the team would continue the tour, allowing the series to proceed as planned.

Pakistan had won the first ODI by six runs, and this second victory ensures they hold a strong advantage in the three-match series.

Pakistan Playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Saif Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha.

Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kushal Mendis, Sadeera Samaraweera, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Chandika Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Pramod Madhushan, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando.