Pakistan to 7-wicket win…..

Ahmed Shehzad (95) and Mohamed Hafeez (70) shared a 115 runs stand as Pakistan’s batting functioned at full throttle as it did throughout the tour to take the ODI series 3-1 with a 7 wicket win beating Sri Lanka in the fourth match at the R. Premadasa Stadium under lights yesterday.

Pakistan needing 257 to win reached the required target after openers Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad set the right platform putting on 75 runs for the first wicket in 11.1 overs and there after Shehzad and Mohammed Hafeez , banned from bowling for a year, striking with the bat added a further 115 runs for the second wicket to thicken the cushion.

Ahmed Shehzad was trifle unlucky to miss a well deserved century falling short by five runs when he was out caught at point to a diving catch by Kusal Perera off Lakmal. Shehzad faced ninety deliveries and struck twelve fours and six while Hafeez leaving his crease to Milinda Siriwardene edged one to give wicket keeper Dinesh Chandimal who took it after a couple of attempts.

Sri Lanka’s bowling looked thin almost wholly dependent upon Malinga who was not much of threat although taking the first wicket.

Top scorer for the Sri Lanka team, Lahiru Thirimanne (90)

The toal of 256 seemed a reasonable one to defend, but the Lankans simply did not have the bowling resources to curtail a strong batting line up like Pakistan. Hafeez and Shehzad second wicket stand demolished the Sri Lankan bowling to such an extent that Pakistan moved to victory with almost nine overs remaining.

The Sri Lankan fielding in general looked vulnerable and the bowling potentially short of talent.

A cultured 90 by Lahiru Thirimanne and Tillakaratne Dilshan (50) who put on 109 runs for the first wicket, laid the foundation for the final Sri Lanka score of 256 for 9.

Thirimanne who came in as a virtual opener, missed a well deserved century when he was fifth out at 186 in the 42nd over, but useful contributions from Milinda Siriwardana ( 19), Sachith Pathirana (14) and Lasith Malinga ( 17) who hit 13 deliveries with two fours and six helped Sri Lanka to reach their final score.

Anglelo Mathews, after losing the toss for eleven consecutive occasions, won the toss and elected to bat.

The home team brought in Ashan Priyanjan for Upul Tharanga while Suranga Lakmal was brought in for Thisara Perera. But Sri Lanka was off to a disastrous start losing opener Kusal Janith Perera in the second ball of the innings off Mohammed Irfan when he top edged one to covers to be caught by Imad Wasim.

Thirimanne joined Dilshan as a virtual opener. Dilshan who looked somewhat subdued in the last two games, got into his strides and struck two well-timed drives first he drove on the on side and then on the off side off the bowling of Anwar Ali.

Dilshan ( 26) and Thirimanne (17) added 50 runs for the second wicket off 63 deliveries with Pakistan skipper Anwar Ali trying four bowlers to find the break through.

With Dilshan and Thirimanne gradually establishing themselves and the partnership reaching menacing proportions, skipper Anwar Ali, may be for the first time in the ODI series, introduced himself into the attack.

Dilshan and Thirimanne were bringing the score close to the 100 mark in the 19th over and the left and right hand combination of the second wicket duo seem to be working well for the Sri Lankans.

After adding 109 runs for the second wicket and Dilshan reached his 50 facing 59 deliveries striking three fours. While trying to make room to cut Imad Wasim, Dilshann was bowled.

Angelo Mathews did not last long. After adding 34 runs with Thirimanne he was caught by Yasir Shah off Rahat Ali. Pakistan had tried seven bowlers and all had bowled well within their capacity. Their main strike bowler Mohammed Irfan was used sparingly and bowled from both ends . Dinesh Chandimal who replaced Mathews showed signs of aggression to increase the tempo.

A miscued uppish drive off Mohammed Irfan fell short of two fielders, he then picked up one and swung it to leg for 4 to end a drought of boundaries. But Chandimal going for a repetition, miscued a pull and was caught in the deep.

At the other end, Thirimanne batted sensibly and was reaching his 100 when he swung Shah with the tide towards mid wicket and Ahmed Shehzad claimed for a sprawling catch.

But Thirimanne doubting, waited for the third umpire’s decision which confirmed that the ball was picked up from the ground.

But minutes later Thirimanne trying to accelerate, was caught by the same fielder Shehzad for a top score of 90 facing 136 deliveries with four hits to the ropes.