Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez scored half-centuries to guide Pakistan to a convincing seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their fourth one-day international (ODI) on Wednesday, securing an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.
Batting first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka made 256-9 in 50 overs — a target that Pakistan chased down with more than nine overs to spare at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Shehzad missed out on a seventh ODI century as he was dismissed for 95, which he made off 90 deliveries, hitting a six and 12 boundaries.
Photo: AFP
Hafeez made 70, continuing his good form in the series. He faced 88 deliveries; hitting a six and eight boundaries.
Pakistan captain Azhar Ali said that his players had been good in all aspects of the game, with his batsmen in top form.
“We have not won an ODI series [in Sri Lanka] for the past nine or 10 years. We wanted to win badly and the boys responded brilliantly,” he said.
Pakistan won their last ODI series in Sri Lanka in 2006.
Sri Lanka coach Marvan Atapattu said his team had failed across the board.
“It was disappointing in all departments, we honestly have not played the best cricket that we know and we are known for. Fielding is a major concern. The energy that Sri Lanka should show on the field — we have not seen,” he said.
Pakistan opening pair Shehzad and captain Ali dominated the bowling from the start of their chase, at times scoring eight runs per over.
The opening partnership was worth 75 runs off 67 deliveries before Ali was brilliantly caught in the outfield by substitute fielder Sachithra Senanayake off fast bowler Lasith Malinga.
Shehzad was then joined by Hafeez, with their partnership of 115 runs taking 120 deliveries.
Kusal Perera took a stunning catch diving forward in the outfield to dismiss Shehzad off seamer Suraga Lakmal.
Pakistan’s batsmen were brilliant in their stroke play, picking the gaps, hitting over the fielders and skillfully maneuvering the spinners.
Earlier, Lahiru Thirimanne recorded a second consecutive half-century and put on a 109-run stand with Tillakaratne Dilshan.
Thirimanne hit five boundaries in his 90 off 126 balls. He scored 56 in the third ODI on Sunday. He joined Dilshan for their 133-ball partnership before Dilshan was bowled by Imad Wasim for 50 off 59 balls at 109-2.
Thirimanne survived a chance on 84 when his sweep was caught and dropped by a diving Ahmed Shehzad off Yasir Shah.
The damage was light, as the pair combined two overs later to get Thirimanne, with Shehzad taking another diving catch behind square and holding it in the 42nd over.
Nobody else scored more than 20 runs.
The final match of the series is scheduled to be played in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, on Sunday.
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