Spectators disrupt Pak, SL match

With Sri Lanka struggling at 158/7 after 33.3 overs chasing a total of 317 runs in the third ODI on Sunday, the match was temporarily stopped as a Pakistani player was hit by a projectile near the rope drawing out Match Referee Javagal Srinath who supervised the proceedings as the Pakistani players were escorted to their dressing room, while the security forces took control near the area. 

There were also live visuals showing a full-fledged fight between the supporters. The match resumed again after the section of the crowd that was causing the ruckus was ejected from the ground.

Earlier in the match, Sarfraz Ahmed scored 77 and all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez made 54 as Pakistan piled up 316-4. Hafeez’s fourth score of 50-plus in the last six one-day innings built on a 93-run opening stand between Ahmed Shehzad (44) and skipper Azhar Ali (49) after Pakistan chose to bat.

Sarfraz, promoted to number four from lower down the order, justified the captain’s faith with seven boundaries in his 74-ball knock at the Premadasa stadium.

The gutsy wicket-keeper put on 72 for the third wicket with Hafeez and 61 for the fourth with Shoaib Malik to boost the total, before he was run out in the 45th over. The match since restarted saw Srilanka losing their remaining wickets, bundling out for 181 in 41.1 overs.