Sri Lanka were better in all departments

It was 1-1 going into the deciding ODI at Lahore. And though Sri Lanka were the favourites after their comprehensive win in the second game no one would have expected Pakistan to crumple the way they did. After posting 309 on the board thanks mainly to a coming of age unbeaten ton by Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sri Lanka had little trouble sending the Pakistanis packing on their home soil.

Nuwan Kulasekara and Thilan Thushara exploited the bowler-friendly conditions to the hilt as Pakistan were six down ever before the first ten overs were completed. The last of the six victims, Shahid Afridi, was unimaginably clean bowled shouldering arms to Kulasekara typifying the home team’s horror. For the record, Pakistan were bundled out for 75, their lowest total at home.

Though the margin of victory was gigantic, it was achieved thanks to a sensible approach after Mahela Jayawardene’s risky decision to bat first. On a pitch that favoured the bowlers early on Sanath Jayasuriya and Dilshan adopted a very careful approach against the on target Umar Gul and Sohail Khan. It was only when Iftikhar Anjum was introduced that Jayasuriya broke loose. He murdered the hapless bowler with his trademark strokes and though Gul got him soon after plenty of damage had already been done and Sri Lanka were off to a great start.

After Jayasuriya’s departure, Dilshan in the company of Kumar Sangakkara ensured that Sri Lanka built further on the solid platform. The duo took minimal risks as there were plenty of gaps in the field. Unlike the first two games, the instinctive Dilshan was successful in curbing the gratuitous strokes. The two looked invincible and Pakistan had all but given up hope when a mix saw the Lankan wicket-keeper being run out for the second successive game immediately after getting to his half-century.

The blemish did not hamper Dilshan as he went on to score his second ODI ton and opened up after that. He carried his bat right through the innings and possibly played the knock that makes him realize what he is capable of. With Thilina Kandamby coming in, the slog overs too have been fruitful for Lanka and he made a worthy contribution again.

What did Sri Lanka did very well was where Pakistan failed. To be fair, it was the Sri Lankan bowlers who did not allow them to succeed. Kulasekara and Thushara were impeccable and were greatly aided by the seaming and swinging conditions under lights. The latter trapped Younis Khan and Kamran Akmal in front of the stumps and had Misbah-ul-Haq caught behind with an unplayable outswinger. Kulasekara, on the other hand, had the in-form Salman Butt caught behind and rattled Afridi’s off-stump while Khurram Manzoor was almost miraculously caught by Farveez Maharoof. At 22 for 6, Pakistan could easily have folded up for a total under 50. But Gul, who has been Pakistan’s best bowler on show, put up a spirited show which included some eye-catching cover drives. He and skipper Shoaib Malik put up a brief resistance before the spinners came on completed the formalities.

The final wicket of Sohail Khan was Muralitharan’s 500th – yet another feather in the great Lankan’s cap. And considering that he has been such a consistent match-winner for his side for so long, it was only apt that he achieved the feat in game where Lanka obliterated their opponents. But while Murali ensured Sri Lanka had an additional reason to celebrate, the man of the moment was indisputably Tillakaratne Dilshan who ended up winning both the Man of the match and the Man of the series awards.

Pakistan were lethargic

Those who have followed the fortunes of the Pakistan cricket team over the years wouldn’t be surprised at their insipid display in the second ODI at Karachi just a day after their comprehensive win against Sri Lanka in the opening game. However, the discipline and restraint which was evident in their play on Tuesday must have raised hope of a transformation among the Pakistani fans. But it turned out to be a mirage of sorts. The bowling of Shoaib Akhtar and Sohail Tanvir was abysmal yet again so much so that the usually reticent Shoaib Malik even ended up questioning Shoaib’s commitment. Their fielding was below par and despite the Sri Lankan batsmen kicking themselves in the foot, Pakistan allowed them to get away.



Tillakaratne Dilshan took his chances and was successful again but Pakistan ought to have done their homework especially after the start he gave the Lankans in the first ODI. On the contrary, the Pakistani opening combination of Akhtar and Tanvir were fighting the enemy within – bowling no-balls and then trying to reduce the subsequent damage. While Dilshan went on the rampage, Pakistanis were lucky to get the big wickets of Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara - both had only themselves to blame. Jayasuriya was out hit-wicket while Sangakkara ran when there was no run. However, the bowling side could not stop the flow of runs. Dilshan either cut or pulled and occasionally tried his trademark smart strokes and on most occasions succeeded. But the Pakistani bowlers assisted him by feeding him with what he liked. He eventually fell for 76 in a similar manner to the first ODI – pulling one behind square. But as long as he succeeds more than fails, the Lankans wouldn’t be complaining.

At 165 for 3 in the 30th over, Pakistan had an opening to script yet another comeback with the struggling Mahela Jayawardene in next. But they were determined to let go of this opportunity as well. Earlier, Kamran Akmal had given a life to newcomer Thilina Kandamby putting down a tough chance of Shahid Afridi’s bowling. Kandamby went on to register a fluent half-century but more importantly allowed his skipper to find his groove. The two added some quick runs before Iftikhar Anjum, who impressed once again bowling a tight line and length, provided Pakistan with the breakthrough getting the wicket of Kandamby.

Jayawardene played a confident cameo before Umar Gul got into the act. He had the Lankan skipper caught behind. While Gul was impressive, he made the mistake of giving width to the batsmen in the end overs and Chamara Kapugedara took full advantage of it. Muralitharan too chipped in with a tennis-like hook if you can call it one. Gul ended with four wickets to go with his three in the first ODI but leaked runs at six and a half an over. This was particularly damaging as Tanvir and Akhtar fared worse going over seven.

Despite conceding 290, the Pakistanis would have been confident considering the assured manner in which they chased down 220 the previous day. But this was the bigger challenge and they were up against an upbeat side bolstered by tasting success with the bat. Nuwan Kulasekara, who has been the unsung hero of Sri Lankan cricket lately, came good again. He troubled batsmen with his incoming deliveries – trapping Khurram Manzoor leg before and having Younis Khan drag one back onto the stumps. Not long after Thilan Thushara had Misbah-ul-Haq caught behind of an unplayable outswinger. At 17 for 3, the match seemed headed for an early finish.

The in-form Salman Butt and skipper Shoaib Malik then came together and batted commendably well. They put on 108 at a brisk and gave their side a semblance of a chance. But both fell with the score on 125 and that was the beginning of the end for Pakistan. Malik was fooled by Murali doosra while Butt gifted his wicket away to Jayasuriya. Ajantha Mendis, who had a rare bad outing in the first match, then took the opportunity to get among the wickets. He picked up three in quick succession as the lower-order had no answer to his guile.

In the end, it was comprehensive win for Sri Lanka but one that could not have been possible without help from Pakistan. Where Lanka were bad, Pakistan were worse and that reflected in the result.