Pakistan will hope the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium is their lucky charm as they go in search of a One-day International series win in Sri Lanka here on Tuesday.
The second of three ODI clashes had been scheduled for Colombo, but heavy rain forced the game to be moved to Hambantota, where Pakistan won the opener with a ball to spare.
After reeling at 106-5 chasing 276 for victory, Pakistan’s youngsters Sohaib Maqsood and Fawad Alam added 147 runs in 117 balls for the sixth wicket to see their side home.
It was only the second time in the last three years that Pakistan successfully chased a 250-plus target but they will have to face Sri Lanka in the second ODI without the services of batsman Younis Khan.
The 36-year-old veteran returned home on Monday following the death of his 10-year-old nephew.
Pakistan will also be unable to call on spinner Saeed Ajmal who was forced to miss the first two ODIs in this series while his suspect bowling action is tested in an Australian biomechanics lab.
However, a Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman confirmed they will not be seeking to add any replacements to the squad as fast bowler Mohammad Irfan is already in Sri Lanka as cover.
In an interview just prior to the ODI series, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said he would be using all the games between now and the World Cup in six months’ time as an opportunity to experiment with his line-up.
