This article was first published 9 years ago

PHOTOS: Amid flares and crowd trouble, Pakistan win in Colombo

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Last updated on: July 20, 2015 15:53 IST

Crowd trouble tarnished Pakistan's victory over Sri Lanka as missiles were thrown onto the pitch.

Pakistan's captain Azhar Ali

Pakistan captain Azhar Ali talks with umpire Ian Gould after a clash between supporters of the two sides during the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

Sarfraz Ahmed celebrated his promotion with a breezy 77 and leg-spinner Yasir Shah claimed a career-best 4 for 29 as Pakistan crushed Sri Lanka by 135 runs in the third One-day International and go 2-1 up in the five-match series.

Sarfraz, Yasir help Pakistan crush Sri Lanka, take 2-1 lead

But that was not all that happened in Colombo on Sunday.

Supporters argue with a police officer

Supporters argue with a police officer in the stands. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

Further embarrassment awaited the hosts in the form of crowd trouble, which held play up for nearly half an hour, forcing the players off the ground.

The trouble started and supporters clashed in the stands before a missile was thrown onto the pitch; proceedings were temporarily suspended as police moved in to restore order.

Sri Lanka's Special Task Force soldiers walk towards Pakistan's cricket team's dressing room after the team walked off field

Sri Lanka's Special Task Force soldiers walk towards the Pakistan team's dressing room after the players walked off field. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

The crowd trouble forced the players off in the 34rd over, with Sri Lanka 158 for seven. The Pakistan team sat down in the middle before being guided off by armed guards.

Pakistan's captain Azhar Ali walks off the field

Pakistan's captain Azhar Ali walks off the field. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

Sri Lanka needed significant partnerships to chase down the stiff total, but barring Lahiru Thirimanne (56) none of the frontline batsmen offered any resistance.

A police officer takes a supporter who was involved in a clash between supporters of the two sides out of the ground

A police officer takes a fan who was involved in a clash between supporters of the two sides out of the ground. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

Play eventually resumed and Pakistan swiftly dismissed Sri Lanka for 181.
Both teams return to the same venue for the fourth One-dayer on Wednesday.

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