An all-round domination by the Lions secured a 7-wicket win in their series decider against Pakistan played at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium today.
Sri Lanka’s ceaseless bowling onslaught and supple fielding resulted Pakistan crumbling down for mere 102 runs in 33 overs. The eventual run chase was highlighted by a fluent half century by T.M Dilshan. The positive comeback to win the series 2-1, has shown signs of them being an influential team at the upcoming World Cup.
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket at Dambulla which was expected to slow down as the game progress. Both sides entered the game with one change to the respective line ups. Dhammika Prasad was brought in for Nuwan Kulasekara while Saeed Ajmal returned from Brisbane after being tested for his bowling action. Ajmal replaced Junaid Khan.
Ahmed Shehzad and Sharjeel Khan opened the proceedings as they were greeted by seamer Dhammika Prasad. Sharjeel Khan was yet again unable to rise to the occasion as Prasad struck in the 3rd over with a thick outside edge to Mahela, sending him back to the dressing room without bothering the scorers. Mohammad Hafeez joined Shehzad as the two half centurions from the previous game looked on to rebuild the innings. But continuous pressure from the bowlers paid off in the 7th over when Prasad’s second strike removed Shehzad for 10 runs. Lasith Malinga contributed from the other end in the following over when his first scalp got rid of the danger-man Hafeez.
Pakistan were sailing in deep waters as the score read 14/3 after 8 overs with the top order silenced by persistent bowling by Malinga and Prasad. Skipper Misbah took the responsibility alongside Fawad Alam to parry the onslaught lodged upon them. Despite the increasing pressure and slow run rate, Misbah and Alam began to revamp the innings with careful and sensible batting. However the turning point of the game came when the dangerous-looking 33 run partnership was broken with an excellent run out by T.M. Dilshan to dismiss Misbah-ul-Haq. It became a vital blow as Pakistan was set to appear on safer ground.
Struggling batsman Umar Akmal was revived for a moment with a six towards long-on off Thisara Perera’s bowling but Perera had the last laugh as he removed Akmal in the immediate delivery following a delightful catch by Malinga. The scoreboard read 55/5 when promising batsman from Multan, Soaib Maqsood joined his partner Fawad Alam who shattered Sri Lankan hopes in the first ODI. However unlike last Saturday, it was a tough task and a test of nerve and character considering the situation. The duo attempted to reanimate from the ongoing collapse but a sublime catch by Sangakkara from behind the stumps ended Maqsood’s inning for 7 runs. In the following over spinner Seekkuge Prasanna made Afridi pay the price for a needless shot as Thisara Perera caught the ball at deep with safe hands. The 25th over saw another departure, this time it was the new batsman Wahab Riaz off Perera’s bowling. Although he wasn’t pleased with the decision, there were no more reviews left for a hope of overturning the caught behind. Despite Fawad Alam’s lone retaliation, the lack of temperament and intent in the Pakistani innings and relentless bowling and agile fielding by the Sri Lankans saw him losing partners at the other end.
The score stood at 81/8 after 26 overs when a slight drizzle hampered the Sri Lankan assault. Play resumed after 30 minutes as the Lions continued to apply force to grab the last two wickets. Saeed Ajmal soon became the latest victim of Perera for 6 runs while Rangana Herath rattled the stumps of Mohammad Irfan to cease the Pakistani innings for a modest 102 runs after 32.1 overs.
Chasing a revised target of 101 runs in 48 overs, Sri Lanka got into a fine start with openers Upul Tharanga and T.M. Dilshan taking the home team to 46 runs. In the 7th over, Mohammad Irfan forced Upul Tharanga to drag one back to the stumps as Sri Lanka lost their first wicket on the last delivery before lunch. Resuming after the break, Kumar Sangakkara and Dilshan commenced the run chase but Sangakkara was soon dismissed by Wahab Riaz for 2 runs. However Mahela Jayawardene joined T.M. Dilshan to ensure the triumph for Sri Lankans. Thisara Perera was adjudged both ‘Man of the Match’ and ‘Man of the Series’ for his all-round heroics.
Both teams will be preparing for their next endeavours as Pakistan will be facing Australia in October while Sri Lanka will be hosting England in November.
Stats in brief –
Pakistan – 102 all out (32.1 overs) – Fawad Alam 38*, Misbah-ul-Haq 18, Ahmed Shehzad 10 ; Thisara Perera 4 for 34, Dhammika Prasad 2 for 25, Herath 1 for 6.
Sri Lanka – 104/3 (18.2 overs) – T.M. Dilshan 50*, Mahela Jayawardene 26, Upul Tharanga 14 ; Saeed Ajmal 1 for 10, Mohammad Irfan 1 for 37.
Man of the Series : Thisara Perera
Full Scorecard
