At the half way stage of this game Pakistan reached a competitive total of 288/8. Already 2-0 down in this best of 5 series Pakistan need to win here to keep the series alive.
There were contributions all down the order with an almost a run-a-ball 45 (46 balls) from opener Kamran Almal and then a more steady 44 (59 balls) from captain Younis Khan.
Youngster Umar Akmal made quite an impression hitting 66 from 65 balls in only his second match including a massive six of Muralitharan before Murali had his revenge clean bowling him. At 149/5 the innings was in danger of collapsing until Akmal and Shahid Afridi got going, with Akmal showing great promise for the future.
Abdul Razzaq (30) and Naved-ul-Hasan (30n/o) then took up the fight with some explosive late order hitting ensuring Pakistan’s bowlers have a decent target to defend.
Pakistan 288/8 from 50 overs – Akmal 66
Betting
Pakistan are 1/4 with 
Ladbrokes
Sri Lanka are 7/2 with Sportingbet
