Sri Lanka inflict 234-run misery on Pakistan

Lahore: Tillakaratne Dilshan blasted a career-best unbeaten 137 while Muttiah Muralitharan grabbed his 500th ODI wicket as Sri Lanka bulldozed Pakistan by 235 runs to win the three-match cricket series 2-1 here on Saturday.

Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka piled up 309 for five before unleashing their bowlers who skittled out Pakistan for a meagre 75 in just 22.5 overs to inflict on the hosts a humiliating defeat in the all-important series decider.

Dilshan's 139-ball 137, studded with 10 fours, turned out to be the bedrock of the Lankan innings even though Sanath Jayasuriya (45), Kumar Sangakkara (50) and Thilina Kandamby (32) also came up with useful contributions.

For Pakistan, only two batsmen — Umar Gul (27) and captain Shoaib Malik (17) — managed double digit scores while four had ducks against their names as the hosts folded for their lowest score at the venue.

Lankan pacer Nuwan Kulasekara (3-17) and Thilan Tushara (3-33) mowed down the Pakistani top order before Muttiah Muralitharan (2-2) and Ajantha Mendis (1-12) completed the rout.

Muralitharan castled Sohail Khan (4) for his 500th ODI scalp which also dropped curtains on Pakistan's innings.

Muralitharan, already highest wicket-taker in Test cricket with 769 scalps against his name, needs three more wickets to overtake Wasim Akram (502) to top the ODI charts as well.

Pakistan needed an extraordinary effort to chase down such a mammoth target but the first 22 runs cost them six frontline batsmen and the match was virtually over there. The rot started in the second over when Thushara trapped Younis Khan (4) and that triggered off a batting collapse.

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