Crowd trouble tarnishes Pakistan’s one-day international victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo as missile is thrown onto pitch

Play was halted for 30 minutes as fans clashed during Sri Lanka’s reply
Sri Lanka’s Special Task Force soldiers forced to intervene to restore order
Pakistan dismissed their hosts for 181 when play eventually resumed
Azhar Ali became the fastest Pakistani batsman to hit 1,000 one-day runs

Published:
18:31 GMT, 19 July 2015

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Updated:
18:32 GMT, 19 July 2015

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Crowd troubled marred the third one-day international between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Colombo, forcing it to be halted for around 30 minutes before the visitors sewed up a 135-run victory.

Supporters clashed in the stands deep into Sri Lanka’s reply and, after a missile was thrown onto the pitch, proceedings were temporarily suspended as police moved in to restore order.

Play was eventually allowed to resume and Pakistan swiftly dismissed their hosts for 181 having earlier made 316 for four to claim a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Crowd troubled marred the third one-day international between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Colombo

The match was suspended for 30 minutes as Special Task Force soldiers entered the field to restore order

Sri Lankan riot police officers lead spectators out of the stands during ugly scenes at the one-day international

Sri Lankan police commandos secure the field following a spectators clash inside the stadium in Colombo

Captain Azhar Ali became the fastest Pakistani batsman to reach 1,000 one-day international runs, doing so by flicking Lasith Malinga for a leg-side four in his 22nd innings, having won the toss and inserted his country.

He and Ahmed Shehzad put on 93 before the latter pulled Malinga straight to Sachith Pathirana at deep mid-wicket on 44.

All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez came in at number three, despite being banned from bowling for 12 months by the International Cricket Council this week, and he was involved in a run-out with Azhar, who was hesitant and dismissed one shy of a half-century.

Hafeez managed to move on to 54 before holing out to deep mid-wicket off slow left-armer Pathirana to leave Pakistan three down for 196.

Captain Azhar Ali became the fastest Pakistani batsman to reach 1,000 one-day international runs

Ahmed Shehzad hits a boundary during Pakistan’s victory in the third one-day international with Sri Lanka

Sarfraz Ahmed was run out on 77 when, like Azhar, he sought a second run, before some late fireworks from Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Rizwan, who made unbeaten scores of 42 and 35, helped Pakistan claim 93 runs from the final 10 overs as they moved beyond 300.

Anwar Ali accounted for both Sri Lankan openers in the reply, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kusal Perera being caught off slower deliveries, and Upul Tharanga and Angelo Mathews fell in quick succession thanks to extra flight from Yasir Shah.

Anwar Ali accounted for both Sri Lankan openers in the reply, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kusal Perera

Lahiru Thirimanne top-scored for hosts Sri Lanka but he was provided to little support at the crease

Although Lahiru Thirimanne compiled 56, Perera was the only other batsman to go past 18 as the hosts begin to lose wickets at regular intervals.

The crowd trouble forced the players off in the 34rd over, with Sri Lanka 158 for seven, and the Pakistan team sat down in the middle before being guided off by armed guards.

When they did return, Yasir picked up another two victims to finish with four for 29 before Malinga was bowled through the gate by debutant Imad Wasim from the first ball of the 42nd over to give Pakistan a convincing victory.