Perera was named Man of the Match for his career-best knock of 116
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Sri Lanka opener Kusal Perera smashed a career-best 116 to lead his side to a 116-win over Pakistan in the fifth and final ODI in Hambantota.
Perera was well supported by captain Angelo Mathews, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Milinda Siriwardana as they all made half-centuries.
Mathews would have been pleased with his decision to bat first as Perera and Dilshan amassed a 164-run partnership, during which both batsmen surpassed their half-centuries, before Dilshan was run out by Ahmed Shehzad for 62 off 70 balls, which included six boundaries.
Dilshan became the fourth Sri Lankan batsman to make 10,000 ODI runs
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Perera went on to bring up his second ODI century before he was run out by Anwar Ali for a career-best 116, which came off 109 deliveries and included nine boundaries and four sixes.
Following Perera’s dismissal, Sri Lanka lost Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal for 30 and 29 respectively before Mathews and Siriwardana helped them finish with a bang.
Mathews and Siriwardana put together an unbeaten 114-run stand, during which both batsmen registered their half-centuries, to lead Sri Lanka to 368/4 off their 50 overs.
Siriwardana made his maiden ODI half-century
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Mathews finished on 70 off 40 balls, which included eight boundaries and two sixes, while Siriwardana remained undefeated on 52 off 26 deliveries, which included four boundaries and three sixes.
Mathews hit eight boundaries and two sixes during his unbeaten innings of 70
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Rahat Ali was the only bowler to take any wickets.
Chasing a mammoth target of 369 to win, many of Pakistan’s batsmen got off to promising starts, but failed to convert it into big scores. This was the theme throughout their innings and, due to the batting line-up’s inability to post a score above 37, it was no surprise when Pakistan were bowled out for 203.
Sachithra Senanayake was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Thisara Perera snapped up two and Mathews, Siriwardana and Lahiru Gamage claimed one wicket each.
Pakistan captain Azhar Ali was disappointed to lose the match, and said: “We wanted to win this game, but credit goes to Sri Lanka. They played really well. We didn’t bowl that well, but the credit should go to the Sri Lankan batsmen, especially the way they batted in the first half. Unfortunately we didn’t win today, but happy with the series win. We played positive cricket, especially as a batting unit. The fielding was exceptional. After a long time you saw brilliance in the field. Credit should be given to the coaching staff.”
Mathews was delighted to have ended the series on a high, and said: “Unfortunately a bit too late but a clinical performance. Openers were brilliant, then Thirimanne and Chandimal. They gave us the platform for myself, and Milinda was a pleasure to watch. We had to go back to our basics, especially in the bowling department. We showed a bit of improvement in the fielding. You need to keep improving day by day.”
Perera was named Man of the Match, and said: “The team needed that innings. We had already lost the series, but 3-2 is better than 4-1. Yeah team-mates reminded me of a possible double, but I am happy the team won. I am always trying to get my basics right. I know if my basics are right, the results will go my way.”
Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez was named Man of the Series, and said: “Really happy to get this. But the whole team deserves this award. We got worked hard for the series, and thankfully the results went our way. I am trying my best to contribute to the victory of Pakistan.”