Pakistan took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series beating Sri Lanka convincingly by 7 wickets in the 4th ODI concluded at R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.
Ahmed Shehzad (95) and Mohammed Hafeez (70) struck aggressive half-centuries to anchor the chase after the hosts’ were constrained to par score of 256. This is the first instance after 2006 where Sri Lanka was defeated by Pakistan in a home ODI series.
Pakistan openers got off to a blistering start smashing dull Lankan bowlers at will. They stroked 75 runs in 11 overs before Lasith Malinga removed skipper Azhar Ali for 33 after a top-edge flew to third-man.
Shehzad and Hafeez were toying with the toothless hosts’ bowling attack cracking 115 runs on 5.70 runs per over. Shehzad was cruising for his first ton in 15 innings but a superb diving catch by Kusal Perera brought an unfortunate end to his stunning knock of 95 off 90 balls.
Hafeez started slowly but he gradually found his boundary-hitting ability to pummel the Lankan spinners who were barely spinning the ball. Hafeez was striking in fifth gear when he was juggled and caught for 70 by Chandimal off Siriwardana but it was too late for the home team.
The Sri Lankan captain lacked imagination and options throughout the innings on how to use his blunt bowling attack against a well-set Pakistani batting lineup.
Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed left no room for a Lankan comeback as they wiped off the rest of the target clinically to win the game. Malik struck 29 in 16 balls with 4 sixes in the end.
The 200 runs conceded by Sachith Pathirana in his first-three ODIs are the second highest by any bowler in his first-three matches. Manjula Guruge of UAE conceded 201.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Sri Lanka’s dashing opener Kusal Perera was sent back to the pavilion for a duck by Mohammad Irfan in the second ball of the innings when he was caught at extra-cover off his leading edge.
Thirimanne and Dilshan eased towards a steady stand of 109 runs for the 2nd wicket to stabilize the innings. The experienced opener timed the ball sweetly to rotate the stike while Thirimanne maneuvered the ball all over the ground perfectly.
Both batsmen got to their half-centuries in space of three deliveries but the veteran right-hander was bowled by Imad Wasim just after reaching his fifty.
Angelo Mathews and Thirimanne added only 34 runs before Mathews’ (12) rush of blood cost him his wicket when he came down the track against Rahat Ali and slashed it straight to mid-off.
Dinesh Chandimal showed positive intent to score runs at ease but his downfall off Irfan’s slower delivery while trying to slog it towards the leg side ended 21-ball 20 in the 36th over.
Thirimanne handled the pressure well till some point but he threw his wicket away amidst pressure from the Pakistan bowlers when he was just 10 runs short of his 5th ODI ton as Sri Lanka was restricted to 186 for 5.
Ashan Priyanjan (18), Milinda Siriwardana (19), Sachith Pathirana (14) and Lasith Malinga (17) made little cameos but fell at regular intervals looking for quick runs. The hosts amassed only 75 runs in the last 10 overs.
The final game will be played on 26th Sunday at Hambanthota.
Sri Lanka – 256/9 in 50 overs: TM Dilshan 50, Lahiru Thirimanne 90, Dinesh Chandimal 20, Mohammad Irfan 3/50, Anwar Ali 2/41.
Pakistan – 257/3 in 40.5 overs: Azhar Ali 33, Ahmed Shehzad 95, Mohammed Hafeez 70, Shoaib Malik 29*, Lasith Malinga 1/49.
