(REUTERS) – Tillakaratne Dilshan and Thisara Perera sparkled as Sri Lanka levelled their one-day international series against Pakistan with a comfortable 76-run victory in the second ODI in Pallekele. Dilshan struck a marvellous unbeaten 119 off 139 balls, while Mahela Jayawardene’s fifty and a late blast from Perera helped the hosts, whose batting line-up was heavily criticised following their six-wicket defeat on Thursday in the opening match of the series, reach 280 for four.
Despite Azhar Ali making 96 at the top of the order, Perera took six wickets for 44 as Pakistan were all out for 204 to ensure the series is now tied at 1.
The hosts made just 135 for eight off 42 overs in the first ODI, but they won the toss and decided to bat first again, with Jayawardene dropping down the order and Upul Tharanga opening the batting alongside Dilshan.
The 35-year-old was out of sorts earlier this week, but was a calming influence and struck 11 fours and a six en route to his 13th ODI century.
With Dilshan anchoring the innings at one end, captain Jayawardene looked at ease batting down the order at five and his 53 came off just 45 balls before Perera boosted Sri Lanka’s total with 24 off 14 deliveries.
Mohammad Hafeez took one for 30 from his eight overs, but the rest of Pakistan’s attack struggled.
In response, Pakistan’s top order was undermined by Perera, who took the first four wickets to fall, although they were in with a slim chance while Azhar was still there.
When he was bowled by Nuwan Kulasekara’s yorker four shy of a maiden ODI century in the 37th over with 124 runs still needed, the game was up.
Perera, who finished with career-best ODI figures, and Lasith Malinga then picked up two wickets apiece before Kulasekara had Sarfraz Ahmed trapped in front for 20 to wrap up a comfortable win for Sri Lanka.

SRI LANKA innings
U. Tharanga c Sarfraz b Tanvir 18
T. Dilshan not out 119
K. Sangakkara c & b Hafeez 18
D. Chandimal lbw b Afridi 32
M.J ayawardene b Ajmal 53
T. Perera not out 24
Extras: (b-1, lb-7, nb-1, w-7) 16
Total: (for four wickets, 50 overs) 280
Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-84, 3-154, 4-240..
Bowling: Gul 9-0-58-0, Tanvir 9-1-51-1 (w-1, nb-1), Afridi 10-0-50-1 (w-1), Rahat 4-0-34-0 (w-3), Ajmal 10-0-49-1, Hafeez 8-1-30-1.

PAKISTAN innings
M. Hafeez c and b Perera 14
A. Ali b Kulasekara 96
Y. Khan c Sangakkara b Perera 4
Misbah-ul-Haq lbw b Perera 27
U. Akmal c Sangakkara b Perera 3
S. Afridi c Sangakkara b Malinga 17
S. Ahmed lbw b Kulasekara 20
S. Tanvir c Tharanga b Perera 3
U. Gul lbw b Perera 14
S. Ajmal c Sangakakkara b Malinga 4
R. Ali not out 0
Extras: (lb-2) 2
Total: (all out, 46.2 overs) 204
Fall of wickets: 1-48, 2-78, 3-127, 4-139, 5-157, 6-165, 7-170, 8-197, 9-204.
Bowling: Kulasekara 8.2-1-33-2, Malinga 8-1-40-2, Mathews 10-0-48-0, Perera 10-0-44-6, Herath 10-1-37-0,.