Sri Lanka vs Pakistan - 5th ODI- Match Recap
The 5th One Day International saw a stupendous performance from the Sri Lankan vice-captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mathews-c913, who scored a triumphant unbeaten 80 to stamp the series 3-1 as the final game against Pakistan concluded at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on 18th June, 2012.
The stage was set for the final game and thankfully the rain did not interrupt the proceedings as both teams went head to head in the decider. Five-match series was resting at one a piece, following the opening two encounters, while the third ODI was washed out as rain took ascendancy in Colombo. The fourth ODI saw a preponderate performance by the home team - gaining a 2-1 lead in the series.
With the Lankan http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DPMD-Jayawardene-c1397.
Finally the batting clicked for the Men in Green after a shaky start. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KMDN-Kulasekara-c1802 at a personal score of just 6. With Pakistani innings getting off to familiar tone, Imran Farhat played an important rescuing hand where he dominated the Lankan bowling attack, and scored 56 off 63 balls before being caught out at deep square-leg off all-rounder Thisara Perera.
Pakistani batters looked positive as all middle-order batsmen contributed to the decorous total of 247 - http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972 chipping in with 30-odd runs.
Just when tourists were contemplating a substantial partnership, the Lankan bowlers would strike and reset the momentum, while making it hard for the new batsman. The second best performance by the Men in Green came from the bat of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Akmal-c94595, who managed to score an unbeaten 55 which helped his side to 247 in 50 overs.
The Lankan bowling in the depth was phenomenal as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SL-Malinga-c2540 and Kulasekara controlled proceedings in the last five overs, conceding just 22 runs.
With a decent total on the board and a formidable bowling line up, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LD-Chandimal-c1831 to steady the ship.
After adding 78 for the third-wicket, Kumar was stumped on the bowling off http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s favour as the experienced Lankan trio was back in the dressing room.
Mathews walked in and he worked hard to keep the asking rate in check despite wickets tumbling from the other end. With the chase narrowing down, Jeevan Mendis smashed a six and a four to help take some pressure off Mathews however, was soon sent back as he miss cued one into the hands of the cover field’s man, creating more drama in the final.
It was http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Sami-c77289 who then bowled the all important final over as Sri Lanka required 15 runs. The pacer started the over in a poor fashion by bowling a wide down the leg side, and followed it up by conceding two runs.
With the pressure on the bowler, Mathews launched a mammoth six on the third ball to swing the equation in Sri Lanka’s favour. The Lankans gained momentum yet again, with the right-hander placing the next ball for a boundary behind point to seal the match, and the series.
Angelo was nominated Player of the Match for his match winning, while Player of the series accolade was presented to Thisara Parera who had put in a phenomenal performance throughout, bagging 11 scalps.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 won the series 3-1 and will be confident going into the Test matches as the loosing captain had a few things to say at the end of the game.
"The way Mathews played he took the game away from us," says Misbah-ul-Haq. "We were 15-20 short. They bowled well at the end. Again, the fielding let us down. They really gave us tough time, especially Angelo. Mendis played very well too. We have to forget this and improve our performance in the Tests."
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