Back again at the Palekelle International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka came back with the perfect performance in reply to Pakistan's clinical win in the first ODI and easily won the second one to level the series. The stand-out performers for Sri Lanka were Tillakaratne Dilshan whose century took Sri Lanka to a healthy total of 280 and Thisara  Perera who tore apart the Pakistani batting line up  and took 6 wickets while giving away 44 runs.

Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first. The opening partnership between Upul Tharanga and Dilshan last for 37 runs before Tharanga was caught behind off Sohail Tanvir's bowling for 18 runs. In came Sangakkara and Hafeez got him caught and bowled off 18 runs as well. Chandimal and Dilshan looked well settled until Chandimal got trapped LBW by Shahid Afridi for 32 runs. Mahela Jayawardane and Dilshan formed a formidable partnership of 86 runs during which Dilshan got to his 14th hundred and the second against Pakistan which included 14 fours and a six. Jayawardane was cleaned up by Ajmal but Dilshan remained not out at 119 while Perera's 24 run cameo kept him not out off just 22 runs. Sri Lanka finished their innings at 280-4, setting a big challenge for an already struggling Pakistani batting line up.