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 one-day international in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, on Sunday.
The left-handed opener struck 116 off 109 balls, while Tillakaratne Dilshan joined the 10,000-run one-day international club as Sri Lanka piled up their highest one-day total against Pakistan of 368-4 in 50 overs.
Pakistan managed just 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.
Photo: AFP
Pakistan were sailing at 116-2 in the 20th over following an opening partnership of 51 between skipper Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad, before their final eight wickets fell for 87 runs.
Mohammad Hafeez (37) and Azhar (35) were the principal contributors as the tourists faltered badly under the lights, despite good batting conditions.
Off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake claimed three for 39 in his first appearance in the series, while seamer Thisara Perera chipped in with two wickets.
Kusal reached his second century after a 164-run stand for the first wicket with Dilshan, who became only the 11th batsman and the fourth Sri Lanka player to compile 10,000 one-day runs.
Skipper Angelo Mathews hammered an unbeaten 70 and Milinda Siriwardana clubbed 52 not out off 26 balls as Sri Lanka plundered 136 runs in the final 11 overs to surpass their previous best against Pakistan of 349-9 in Singapore in 1996.
“It was a clinical performance, but unfortunately it came a bit too late,” Mathews said. “We had to go back to our basics, especially in the bowling department. We also showed a bit of improvement in the fielding, but one needs to keep improving.”
Kusal, whose only other one-day century came against Bangladesh last year, smashed nine fours and four sixes before he was run out in the 34th over.
The flamboyant Dilshan reached the 10,000-run landmark in his 319th match when he took a single off Shoaib Malik to move to 55, before he was run out for 62.
The 38-year-old has 10,007 runs, joining compatriots Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene in a coveted list headed by India great Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 18,426 one-day runs.
Mathews and Siriwardana added a brisk 114 off just 55 deliveries for the undefeated fifth wicket to complete Sri Lanka’s best batting display of the series.
Mathews hit eight fours and two sixes, while left-handed all-rounder Siriwardana smacked four fours and three sixes.
Azhar said Pakistan were keen to sign off on a winning note, but conceded Sri Lanka played a better game.
“We really wanted to win this match, but credit must go to Sri Lanka,” the Pakistan captain said. “I am very happy we won the series. We played positive cricket all through and the fielding was very good. It was after a long time that we saw a Pakistani side field so well.”
Pakistan round off their six-week tour to Sri Lanka with two Twenty20 internationals in Colombo on Thursday and Saturday.
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