With a Test series win in Sri Lanka after 9 years, the Pakistanis are seeking for success in an ODI series on Sri Lankan soil for nearly a decade. The rivals are scheduled to lock horns in a 5 match ODI series beginning tomorrow (11th June) at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
Since 1975
The two teams met for the first time in the international arena during the Prudential Cricket World Cup in 1975 at Nottingham. The experienced team led by Majid Khan comfortably beat the minnows by 192 runs in the respective encounter.
So far the two teams have played 142 ODIs, with Pakistan winning 81 to Sri Lanka’s 56. Four games have ended without a result while one ODI has resulted in a tie.
A Recap of the Past Few Years
Pakistan’s 2005/06 test series win in Sri Lanka was followed by their 2-0 ODI success in the same tour. However since then, the visitors are yet to emerge victorious in an ODI series in Sri Lanka.
In 2009, when the Lions hosted the visitors, the 5 match series was won 3-2 by Sri Lanka. Despite conceding a 3-0 lead, Pakistan managed to bounce back and salvage pride, winning the final two ODIs at RPS by 146 and 132 runs respectively.
In 2011 Pakistan welcomed the Lions in UAE as the 5-match ODI series ended 4-1 in favour of the hosts. However in the following year, Sri Lanka avenged for their defeat with a 3-1 series win on home soil. Although the visitors won the opening ODI at Pallekele, the hosts made a comeback to win 3 out of the 4 remaining games while one was ended without a result. Thisara Perera was named man of the series.
The 2013 series in UAE saw the two evenly poised team battle it out in a close duel. The bilateral affair was best remembered for Mohammad Hafeez’s three sublime centuries that sealed a 3-2 success. He ended up with 448 runs as well as the man of the series award.
Following Mahela Jayawardene’s swansong and a successful test whitewash in 2014, the Lions recorded a 2-1 series win in the ODIs despite going down by 4 wickets in the opening game in Hambantota. The second ODI at the same venue was won by 77 runs by the home team. Winning the toss, Sri Lanka scored 310/9 that was made possible by Angelo Mathew’s 93. In the reply, Pakistan were all out for 233 in 43.5 overs as Thisara Perera captured 3 for 19. The final and decisive ODI in Dambulla saw a convincing 7-wicket win for the Lions after chasing a paltry 103. Thisara Perera who dismantled the Pakistani line up with his 4 scalps was also awarded the man of the series award.
In the Lion’s den
Sri Lanka have hosted Pakistan in 37 ODIs since 1986. When Sri Lanka hosted them for the first time in 1986, Pakistan won the inaugural ODI by 8 wickets at Asgiriya. The 4-match ODI series was won 2-0 by the visitors while two games were ended without a result. The home team was led by Duleep Mendis while Imran Khan captained the experienced Pakistani side. Sri Lanka’s first victory on home soil against Pakistan came in the 1986 Asia Cup final when they won by 5 wickets at SSC.
So far on Sri Lankan soil, the two teams have met in 37 ODIs of which the home team has triumphed 18 times contrary to the 15 wins recorded by the visitors. 4 games have ended either abandoned or without a result.
The scenic venue of Dambulla
The Rangiri Dambulla International stadium hosted its first game between the two sides in 2003 which Pakistan won by 79 runs. Since then, it has hosted 6 ODIs with Sri Lanka winning 5 of them.
From the Central Hills to the Southern Breeze
Pakistan was featured in the first ever ODI played at Pallekele International Stadium against New Zealand during the 2011 World Cup. However the two only games between the two sides was played during the Pakistani tour of Sri Lanka in 2012. The two games ended with a win each. Deep in the south, the Hambantota International Stadium too has been the venue for two ODIs between Sri Lanka and Pakistan that were resulted in one win for each side.
The Iconic RPS
Perhaps the ‘Mecca’ of the cricket-crazy nation, the symbolic venue is nestled in Central Colombo amidst the hustle and bustle of the big city. But on match day, the boisterous reverberation by the ‘papare bands’ and the ardent fans not only eclipse the sounds of the city, but also reflects the unique identity of Sri Lankan Cricket.
Sitting at fourth in the all-time list of most ODIs played on a single ground, the RPS has so far hosted 116 games since its inauguration in 1986 as the first ever day-night venue in Sri Lanka. In fact, the first ever ODI at RPS was scheduled between Sri Lanka and Pakistan on 9th March, 1986. However the game was abandoned due to rain.
The first complete ODI between the two teams at RPS was played in 1994 with Pakistan emerging victorious by 9 wickets. In the following ODI, Sri Lanka beat them by 7 wickets, recording their first ever win against Pakistan at RPS.
So far, 16 ODIs were played between the two sides at the ground with both winning 6 matches each while 3 ending in abandonment or without a result.
The rivalry between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, nourished by both brotherhood and comradeship will be unfurled yet again, opening the gateway to an exciting 5-match ODI series.
