Lanka levels series

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka — Allrounder Thisara Perera claimed career-best figures of 6-44 to help Sri Lanka comfortably beat Pakistan by 76 runs in the second One-Day International and square the series 1-1 at Pallekele International Stadium Saturday.
 

After opener Tillakaratne Dilshan slammed his 13th one-day century, Perera ripped through the Pakistan batting lineup to claim the best bowling figures by a Sri Lankan in ODIs against Pakistan.
 

Set a target of 281 to go 2-0 up in the series, Pakistan was moving along nicely at 127-2 in the 30th over. Perera then trapped captain Misbahul Haq leg before wicket for 27 and that triggered a collapse as Pakistan was bowled out for 204 in the 47th over.
 

Perera, who had earlier smashed an unbeaten 24 off 14 balls, accounted for Mohammad Hafeez and Younis Khan coming in as second change after the new ball had failed to give Sri Lanka a breakthrough. He then dismissed Misbah before accounting for Umar Akmal on the first ball of a fresh spell.
 

Earlier Dilshan carried his bat through for his second century against Pakistan. His unbeaten 119, his third century in ODIs this year, came off 138 deliveries with 11 fours and a six. — AP