Sri Lankan cricketer Dinesh Chandimal runs between the wickets during the fifth and final one day international (ODI) cricket match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP
Kusal Perera led Sri Lanka’s strong batting display to give the hosts a comprehensive, but academic, 165-run win over Pakistan in the fifth and final ODI in Hambantota on Sunday.
The left-handed opener struck 116 off 109 balls and Tillakaratne Dilshan joined the 10,000-run ODI club as Sri Lanka piled up their highest one-day total against Pakistan of 368-4 in 50 overs.
Pakistan managed only 203 in reply, but took the series 3-2 to build on their 2-1 success in the preceding Test series, clinching a double in Sri Lanka for the first time since 2006.
Pakistan were sailing at 116-2 in the 20th over following an opening partnership of 51 between skipper Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad, before the last eight wickets crashed for 87 runs. Mohammad Hafeez (37) and Azhar (35) were the principal contributors as the tourists faltered badly under lights despite good batting conditions.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2015.
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