Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Chandimal and Malinga were the star performers for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka batsman Dinesh Chandimal scored a magnificent half-century to lead his side to a consolation win over Pakistan in the fifth and final ODI in Abu Dhabi.
Chandimal was well supported by pace bowler Lasith Malinga, who took four wickets to restrict Pakistan to an average score.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat first.
His decision to do so backfired almost immediately as opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad was caught by Ashan Priyanjan at mid-off off the bowling of Suranga Lakmal for 17.
Shehzad’s opening partner, Sharjeel Khan, only made 18 runs before being dismissed caught and bowled by Malinga.
Shoaib Maqsood failed with the bat as well as he was brilliantly caught by Tillakaratne Dilshan at point off the bowling of Malinga for just seven runs.
Mohammad Hafeez and ul-Haq stabilised the innings with a 58-run partnership before Hafeez was clean bowled by Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews for 41.
Ul-Haq managed to bring up his half-century before being caught behind off the bowling of Malinga.
Ul-Haq’s excellent knock of 51 came off 74 balls and included two boundaries and a six.
Umar Akmal managed to score 20 runs before being caught by Dilshan at short midwicket off the bowling of Ajantha Mendis.
Abdur Rehman was dismissed the very next over as he was given out lbw off the bowling of Malinga for just one run.
The remainder of Pakistan’s lower failed failed to make any major contributions.
The only exception was Anwar Ali, who smashed 41 off 38 balls, which included two boundaries and a six, to lead Pakistan to 232 before they were bowled out.
Malinga was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with four wickets, while Lakmal snapped up three and Mathews and Mendis chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing 233 to win, Sri Lanka got off to an outstanding start as their opening pair of Kusal Perera and Dilshan put together a 75-run partnership before Perera was given out lbw off the bowling of Hafeez for 47.
Perera’s solid knock of 47 came off 41 balls and included three boundaries and four sixes.
Dilshan managed to make 45 runs before being caught by Saeed Ajmal at fine leg off the bowling of Junaid Khan.
Kumar Sangakkara was the next to go as he was clean bowled by Khan for 22.
Following Sangakkara’s dismissal, Sri Lanka’s middle and lower order started to collapse, which put Pakistan back in the driver’s seat.
However, Chandimal kept his composure and played a sensible innings to keep Sri Lanka in the game.
He soon passed his half-century and, together with Mendis, led Sri Lanka across the finish line with two balls to spare.
Chandimal finished on 64 off 70 balls, which included one boundary and a six, while Mendis remained undefeated on 19 off 14 deliveries, which included two boundaries and a six.
Khan was the most successful Pakistan bowler with three wickets, while Ajmal picked up two and Hafeez, Ali and Umar Gul chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Despite losing the final match, ul-Haq still praised his team for walking away with a 3-2 series win.
“Team is really in good confidence and good shape,” he said. “We were struggling in our batting line-up over the last year, but this series the batsmen came up good and have good confidence for the Test series.
“Yes of course some of the experienced players coming back has helped. Asad Shafiq will help in the balance of the side, while Hafeez can help with both the ball and bat, and be our fifth bowler in the series.”
Mathews was pleased to have won the final match by two wickets, but still looked disappointed about having lost the series.
“We were just good enough to win the game,” he said. “Once again, a little disappointed with the batsmen who got starts but didn’t go from there.
“Mendis came to the party, along with Chandimal, and got us over the line. We are at full strength for the Tests. We have Rangana Herath coming back, along with Mahela Jayawardene, so look forward to the series.”
Chandimal was named Man of the Match for his outstanding knock of 64.
“I’m over the moon,” he said. “When I went into bat with two wickets down, it was never going to be easy on a pitch like this. Credit goes to Mendis at the end to help us get through. Sometimes I was a bit nervous. I tried to play my normal game and it worked out for me fortunately.”
Hafeez was named Man of the Series for scoring 448 runs, which included three centuries, at a brilliant average of 149.33.
“[I] Want to thank all the supporters and well-wishers,” he said. “They have been in my heart. Sad not to finish the series in a positive way, but we couldn’t do what we wanted to do. Congratulations to the Sri Lankans for their victory.
“I was working on my technique, thanks to my analyst, and worked on a couple of things in the nets. Things started to really come back for me and I hope to do very well in the Tests coming up.”