Hafeez powers Pak to big win over Sri Lanka in third ODI

Mohammad Hafeez smashed a career-best unbeaten 140 for his second century of the series as Pakistan inflicted a 113-run defeat on Sri Lanka in the third one-day international for a 2-1 lead in the series, according to reports.

According to News.com.au, Hafeez hit 11 fours and three sixes in his 136-ball knock in Pakistan's formidable 5-326. Fast bowler Umar Gul returned after a nine-month injury layoff with 3-19 as Sri Lanka was all out for 213 in 44.4 overs.

Sri Lanka paid a heavy price for dropping Hafeez on 26 as he added 160 runs with opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad (81) and another brisk 75 with Misbah (40) against some wayward bowling, the report said.

Gul, Pakistan's most experienced bowler, jolted Sri Lanka's run-chase with his twin strike in the fourth over when he dismissed Kusal Perera (7) and Dimuth Karunaratne, the report added.

Sri Lanka could not recover from those early strikes and although top scorer Tillakaratne Dilshan (59) hit 10 fours and captain Angelo Mathews made 44, Pakistan continued to strike at regular intervals through its spinners Hafeez (2-35) and Saeed Ajmal (2-37), the report further said.

Gul finished off the game when he had last man Lasith Malinga clean bowled with more than five overs to spare, the report mentioned.

Abu Dhabi will host the remaining two matches of the series later this week, according to the report.