Mahela Jayawardene won the toss on an overcast and cloudy day, hoping to follow the same pattern as the T20Is set with a target on the board defendable in the evening. Pakistan put into bowl, were outstanding with the new ball as the seamers, led by Umar Gul, took quick wickets and key moments in the game to leave SL at 6-56. Rain halted the Sri Lankan innings several times making the contest into a 42 over one, but Middle Order Batsman, Lahiru Thiramanne shined through the dismay, scoring an unbeaten 42 to scratch Sri Lanka up to a paltry total of 135.
All of the bowlers were helped in useful conditions and several shined in a generally low quality batting display from the Lankans. Mohammad Sami who was making a comeback after 5 years absent from the ODI scene, took three wickets to further press his case for selection in the Test team as well as a ticket back to Sri Lanka for the Twenty20 World Cup in September. Sohail Tanvir bowled well, getting the new and old ball to swing and cause problems for the home team especially the right handers who found his action hard to pick. However he was unfortunate not to pick up a wicket and ended with figures of 0-30 off his 8 overs. Mohammad Hafeez Bowled his full quota of 10 overs picking up two wickets and only conceding 20 runs in his 3rd most economical bowling performance in his career.
With only 4 Sri Lankan batsman reaching double figures and only 6 fours being hit in the innings, Pakistan backed themselves to chase the meagre total of 135 in the 42 overs. The innings got off to a bad start as Malinga and Kulasekara swung the ball like their Pakistani couterparts had done and when Azhar Ali nicked Malinga behind, SL thought they had a sniff. Younis Khan departed soon after, but Captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Opener Mohammad Hafeez, steadied the ship and took Pakistan close to the target. Umar Akmal scored a handy 36 not out to take Pakistan home after a misjudged run saw Misbah run out with only 2 runs required.
Overall, a clinical performance from Pakistan with both bat and ball. Umar Gul won the Man-of-the-Match award and Captain Misbah credited the bowlers for getting them 1-0 in the 5 match ODI series. The Lankans will be hoping for an improved batting performance so that their bowlers can do their job too. The next ODI is on Sunday.
GeoSuper