MOHALI, India, 29 October 2005 — Left arm paceman Irfan Pathan inspired India to a comfortable eight wicket win over Sri Lanka on his 21st birthday yesterday with a lethal opening spell in the second One-Day International.
Man-of-the-Match Pathan took four for 37 as Sri Lanka succumbed for 122 from 35.4 overs after India had opted to field first in the day-night clash.
Sachin Tendulkar then struck an unbeaten 67 in India’s 123 for two to give the hosts a 2-0 lead in the seven-match series.
None of the Sri Lanka batsmen reached 50 for the second consecutive game with vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara, promoted to opener, top-scoring with 27.
Pathan, who struck 83 after he was promoted to No. 3 in the first match in Nagpur, sparkled with the ball this time.
He struck in the first over, removing Sanath Jayasuriya for a second-ball duck.
Jayasuriya, nursing a troublesome shoulder, was fooled by the swing and miscued a big heave to Virender Sehwag on the third man boundary.
Skipper Marvan Atapattu was then out for four, edging an Ajit Agarkar delivery which moved away after pitching low to wicketkeeper Mahendra Dhoni. Pathan had Mahela Jayawardene (7) caught flicking to Venugopal Rao at square leg before removing Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan off successive balls.
Sangakkara mistimed a lofted shot and Pathan then trapped Dilshan leg before for a first-ball duck.
Tendulkar, who top-scored with 93 in the first international at Nagpur after a six-month injury break, helped put on 80 for the first wicket with Virender Sehwag (38) from just 9.4 overs.
He smashed 11 fours from 69 balls for his 71st one-day 50, wading into the new ball attack of Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa before hitting a flurry of fours off Muttiah Muralitharan.
