Pakistan and Sri Lanka go into the 5th and last ODI with Pakistan already won the series 3-1. Shahid Afridi made sure of the series win with a performance of real class at Sharjah as he made 75 and took 5-35.

The Sri Lankan batsman have really struggled with the bat as no player has taken command and taken the attack towards the Pakistani attack. The bowlers have bowled really well, but have been let down by the ground fielding and catching by their team-mates.

Likewise Pakistan, have struggled to post a good score. Umar Akmal, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez and Shahid Afridi have posted brilliant individual scores but the lack of partnerships has to be a worry for a Pakistan team very reliant on it's bowlers. The win on Sunday moved Pakistan up to 5th in the World rankings, a win will retain that place, whereas a defeat will move them back behind England into 6th position.

Sri Lanka started their chase of 201 with losing Upul Tharanga early to a fine catch by Younis Khan at a wide slip of the bowling of Aizaz Cheema. Pakistan pulled themselves further into the game as Cheema again struck to get Sri Lankan captain Dilshan caught behind for 11 with the score at 37 in 8 overs. Kumar Sangakarra edged a bowl in the same over, but that wide slip that got the opening catch cost Pakistan as the ball went inbetween of Younis and Sarfaraz. Dinesh Chandimal was the next wicket to fall, as he swept a ball of Hafeez onto his stumps for 11 with the score at 53-3.

Sri Lanka started their chase of 201 with losing Upul Tharanga early to a fine catch by Younis Khan at a wide slip of the bowling of Aizaz Cheema. Pakistan pulled themselves further into the game as Cheema again struck to get Sri Lankan captain Dilshan caught behind for 11 with the score at 37 in 8 overs. Kumar Sangakarra edged a bowl in the same over, but that wide slip that got the opening catch cost Pakistan as the ball went inbetween of Younis and Sarfaraz. Dinesh Chandimal was the next wicket to fall, as he swept a ball of Hafeez onto his stumps for 11 with the score at 53-3.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka go into the 4th ODI with Pakistan leading the series 2-1 and requiring a victory to seal the series. Sri Lanka have been a real mix bag in the series thus far, with the bowling being their strong point and not their batting.

The Sri Lankan's will be hoping to see their batting fire against a Pakistan bowling line-up that is performing to their high standards. The positive for the Lankan's has to be Dilshan and Sangakarra getting some runs but they need to be assisted by the likes of Chandimal and Mahela Jayawardene.

Likewise Pakistan, despite making a superb start of 151-0 in 30 overs slumped to only get 257. The worrying signs were how the batsman gave away their wickets in lacklustre style. Poor run-outs and getting caught at the boundary being set were not what you expect from a big nation.

Ground:

 
Sharjah is back with ODI's after 2003. Sharjah has hosted 200 ODI's (more than any other stadium in the World). Pakistan have played 108 of them games, winning 74 and losing 33 with 1 tie. Sri Lanka have played 75 games, winning 29, losing 44 with 2 ties. Both teams head to head comes out with a surprise reading with 32 games played, Pakistan winning 19, losing 12 and having 1 tie. So 37% of Pakistan's defeat's at Sharjah come at the hands of Sri Lanka.

Pakistan is a nation that produces talents day and night, here are a selected few that will in my opinion go on to break into the full side. here is Pakistan cricket's future. Which include names like Babar Azam, Zain Abbas, Sherjeel Khan, Awais Zia, Usman Salahuddin, Jamal Anwar, Hammad Azam, Mohammad Rameez, Sadaf Hussain & Raza Hussain.

Please give it a read.

It has emerged today that the Pakistan Cricket Boards Chairman, Mr Zaka Ashraf has written to his BCCI counterpart, Mr N Srinivasan and asked to look at a tour in the near future.

Its been reported that he has said it is time the neighbouring nations re-start their cricketing ties.

Mr Ashraf has said Pakistan is willing to tour India and the Indian board and Government should give it a good thought and consideration.

If the request is accepted it will hopefully be the first of many ties between the greatest rivals in the cricketing world.

Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan helped rampant Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 8 wickets in Dubai to go one up in a five match series. Imran Farhat (50) and Younis Khan (56 not out) made a chase of 132 relatively easy as they dominated the toothless Sri Lankan attack. Mohammad Hafeez fell early in the chase as he played a nothing shot to get out caught at mid-on, but a 103 run partnership in 17 overs, killed the contest, if there ever was one.

Who remembers Sydney 2010? Who remembers Pakistan losing a won Test against Australia? Don't remember many that don't have a good recollection of that particular game. Kamran Akmal had missed numerous chances and from Australia 8 down for a few runs in the lead. In stepped Micheal Hussey, and with the help of calamity Kamran took the Aussies into a healthy lead before Pakistan succumbed in their second innings to a defeat.

Come to today and Newlands, Cape Town, where 23 wickets fell in a day of frantic cricket. Australia started the day 8 down and resisted well for a hour before South Africa polished off the tail. The home side started their innings and quickly were in trouble, as Shane Watson (5-15) ran riot. Helped by 4 DRS reversals Australia polished of the South African innings in a mere 96 runs. So Australia were 188 in the lead and looking like it was a mere formality of winning the Test, that was not even into the third session of the second day.

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Pakistan and Sri Lanka start the limited overs part of the series starting in Sharjah on Friday. Here are some stats, some that have some compelling reading.

Head to head:

Total games 121

Pakistan 71

Sri Lanka 46

Tie 1

No results 3

Pakistan:

Younis Khan has the most runs amonst the present Pakistan players against Sri Lanka with 1039 runs in 35 games.

Abdul Razzaq leads the bowling charts with 48 wickets from 43 games.

Shahid Afridi with 109 is the highest score for Pakistan in this fixture.

Sri Lanka:

Mahela Jayawardene has the most runs against Pakistan with 1405 runs in 52 ODI's.

With 22 wickets in 13 games, Dilhara Fernando is the leading wicket taker.

Current captain Dilhan has the highest score with a unbeaten 137.

Last game:

The last time both teams met in a ODI game was in March this year in a world cup group stage game. Pakistan won the close encounter by 11 runs.

What about 2011?

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In this day and age when Heavyweight Boxing is looking for a inspiration and a true world champion, it has lost a true great. After being diagnosed with Liver Cancer in late September, this year, Joe Frazier has lost his fight as he passed away in hospital.

Smokin Joe, as he was so lovingly called, won the Olympic Gold medal in 1964 and duly took up professional boxing. He beat Muhammad Ali in 1971, which was named 'the fight of the century' before losing his first fight against George Foreman two years later to lose his world title. He then went on to beat Joe Bugner before losing a rematch against Ali.

He then had a shot at the world title against Ali in 1975, which he lost and then retired the next year after being beaten by Foreman.

A record of 37 fights, 32 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses (against Ali and Foreman) show's how good a fighter he was. A boxer, if fighting in this era, would dominate the world stage. Smokin Joe will forever be missed.