Sri Lanka a 129-run win over Pakistan.

Nuwan Kulasekara had rattled Pakistan's top-order with the new ball by claiming two early wickets as the hosts slipped to 17 for three in pursuit of a target of 291.

Half-centuries from opener Salman Butt (62) and captain Shoaib Malik (54) - the two shared a 108-run stand for the fourth wicket - helped haul Pakistan back into the game, but Muralitharan did for Malik and Sanath Jayasuriya accounted for Butt five deliveries later to trigger a collapse.

Mendis, who had gone wicketless in the first match on Tuesday, then ran through the tail as Sri Lanka wrapped up victory with 15.1 overs to spare.

Butt, Malik half-centuries in vainMalik and Butt, who made a match-winning century yesterday, then rebuilt the innings and got Pakistan back on track.

Malik reached his 31st ODI half-century by sweeping Jayasuriya to the boundary, but he fell shortly after trying to steer Muralitharan to third man and only guiding the ball straight into Sangakkara's gloves.

Butt, who marked this match with his 10th career half-century, then succumbed to Jayasuriya's guile. He attempted to work a delivery on the on-side but the leading edge flew to Mahela Jayawardene at cover.

Pakistan's innings then quickly unravelled and ended when Iftikhar Anjum (five) was trapped in front by Mendis.

Murali, Mendis continue their magic

Muralitharan finished with three for 19 from seven overs, while Mendis had three for 29 from 6.5.

Earlier, the quick wickets of Jayasuriya (19) and Sangakkara (16) left Sri Lanka in a familiar backs-to-the-wall position, but Kandamby and Dilshan prevented a collapse.

A cameo from Chamara Kapugedera (44 off 39 deliveries) and a useful 24 from Jayawardene saw Sri Lanka amass 290 for eight from their 50 overs.

Dilshan again got Sri Lanka off to a bright start in the company of Jayasuriya. Pakistan's new-ball bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Sohail Tanvir again proved expensive as the Sri Lankan openers put on 43 runs in just under six overs.

Pak vs SL, 2nd ODI,

Chasing a massive target of 291 runs, Pakistan have lost three early wickets in the second one-dayer in Karachi.

Half-centuries from Tillakaratne Dilshan and Thilina Kandamby helped Sri Lanka set Pakistan a testing target of 291 on Wednesday.

Dilshan (76) and Kandamby (59) put on 99 for the third wicket as the tourists turned in a much-improved performance with the bat.

The early wickets of Sanath Jayasuriya (19) and Kumar Sangakkara (16) left Sri Lanka in a familiar backs-to-the-wall state, but Kandamby and Dilshan prevented a collapse.

A cameo from Chamara Kapugedera (44 off 39 deliveries) and a useful 24 from Mahela Jayawardene saw Sri Lanka amass 290 for eight from their 50 overs.

Dilshan again got Sri Lanka off to a bright start in the company of Jayasuriya.

Pakistan's new-ball bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Sohail Tanvir again proved expensive as the Sri Lanka openers put on 43 runs in just under six overs.

Shoaib was hit for four boundaries in his second over and was quickly shunted out of the attack as Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik pressed Umar Gul into service.

Just as he had done yesterday during the hosts' eight-wicket win in the first ODI, Gul again made the breakthrough - although Jayasuriya brought about his own downfall.

The Matara left-hander, playing from deep within the crease, disturbed the off stump with his heel while going back to defend a delivery from Gul.

Gul then ran out Kumar Sangakkara for 16 to leave Sri Lanka on the back foot at 66 for two.

But Kandamby, who was drafted into the side in place of Jehan Mubarak and promoted up the order ahead of the out-of-sorts Jayawardene, looked in fine touch as Sri Lanka worked up some momentum.

Dilshan fell in similar fashion to his dismissal yesterday, mistiming a pull and presenting Shoaib with his first wicket in more than a year, but by then Sri Lanka had a strong platform.

The 26-year-old Kandamby, was dropped on 16 by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, went on to compile a maiden half-century before falling to Iftikhar Anjum.

Gul was the pick of Pakistan's bowlers, finishing with four for 58 from nine overs.

Teams:

Pakistan: Khurram Manzoor, Salman Butt, Younus Khan, Shoaib Malik (C), Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal (W), Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Shoaib Akhtar.

Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara (W), Mahela Jayawardena (C), Chamara Kapugedera, Thilina Kandamby, Farveez Maharoof, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Muttiah Muralidaran, Ajantha Mendis.

Ashraful to continue as captain

Mohammad Ashraful will continue as Bangladesh captain despite the consecutive defeats to Zimbabwe at home, the Bangladesh Cricket Board have indicated.

Bangladesh lost to Zimbabwe in a league match of the triangular series which included Sri Lanka last week, a defeat which almost cost them a place in the final. And Zimbabwe again clinched a thrilling victory in the first match of their three-match bilateral one-day series leaving Ashraful's position at the helm in doubt.

But the Bangladesh Cricket Board have suggested a change in captain was not on the cards with Enayet Husain Siraj, BCB director and chairman of the cricket operations committee, telling the Daily Star: "It was a huge mistake to appoint Ashraful as a captain because the timing was wrong. But we don't want to make the same mistake by removing him at the wrong time."

He added: "I think it would have been better for Bangladesh cricket if Habibul Bashar had continued for another year.

"I don't know the reason behind the decision to appoint Ashraful, but without any doubt it was a mistake.

"He was given the captaincy job when he should have been given more time to prepare himself as a batsman, but unfortunately we put extra pressure on him.

"Now everyone wants him removed just when he is getting better by day."

Bangladesh level series

Bangladesh levelled the three-match one-day international series against Zimbabwe with a six-wicket triumph in Mirpur.

A fine 96-run partnership between Sean Williams and captain Prosper Utseya helped the tourists recover from a poor start to reach 160 for nine from their 50 overs after being asked to bat first.

But the hosts, with Raqibul Hasan (52 not out) and opener Mehrab Hossain Jr (43) leading the way, surpassed their victory target for the loss of just four wickets and with more than five overs to spare.

The result leaves the teams with all to play for in the final ODI, which takes place at the same ground on Friday.

Zimbabwe lose wickets at rapid pace

Zimbabwe lost their first wicket on Wednesday in the ninth over when Nazmul Hossain had Hamilton Masakadza (17) caught at mid-off by Rubel Hossain.

That was a sign of things to come as wickets then began tumbling at a rapid pace.

Vusi Sibanda fell for seven in the 11th over before Tatenda Taibu (three) quickly followed suit and then Zimbabwe lost Stuart Matsikenyeri (10), Elton Chigumbura (one) and Malcolm Waller (one) in the space of three overs to leave the tourists floundering on 47 for six in the 19th over.

Williams hit three fours and a six as he combined well with Utseya to repair Zimbabwe's innings before he was dismissed - run out by Mashrafe Mortaza - for 59 in the 47th over.

Utseya reached a career-best 38 before perishing in the final over, with Ray Price (seven) then bowled by Mortaza with the last ball of the innings.

Cake walk for Bangladesh

Chasing just 161, Bangladesh knew they did not have to produce anything too spectacular to level the series.

Opener Tamim Iqbal was bowled between bat and pad by Tawanda Mupariwa for 21 and Mohammad Ashraful contributed only five before Ed Rainsford had him caught at short cover by Utseya, but Mehrab and Raqibul shared a 52-run stand for the third wicket to get the home side back on track.

Shakib Al Hasan (22) came in and picked up where Mehrab left off as Bangladesh inched further towards their target, with Mushfiqur Rahim (13 not out) finishing things off in style with a six over long leg off Mupariwa.

Teams:

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Mehrab Hossain jnr, Mohammad Ashraful, Raqibul Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Naeem Islam, Mashrafe Mortaza, Nazmul Hossain, Rubel Hossain

Zimbabwe: S Matsikenyeri, SC Williams, T Taibu, MN Waller, E Chigumbura, P Utseya, RW Price, T Mupariwa, EC Rainsford, V sibanda, H Masakadz.