Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 2013-14
Wisden's review of the third ODI, Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2013-14
15-Apr-2014
At Sharjah, December 22, 2013 (day/night). Pakistan won by 113 runs. Toss: Sri Lanka.
Mohammad Hafeez hit a career-best 140 not out to clear the path for the highest total at Sharjah in almost 20 years. It set up Pakistan's 78th win there in one-day internationals - equalling Australia's ground record at the SCG (though Australia pulled clear again when they beat England there four weeks later). Sri Lanka's task would have been a great deal easier had Malinga not dropped a sitter at long-on to reprieve Hafeez on 26; even his unexpected direct hit to run out Ahmed Shehzad, halting the second-wicket stand at 160, could not fully atone. After that, Sri Lanka's misdirected stream of yorkers were punished by Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal. Umar Gul made a spectacular return after nine months out with knee problems, removing Kushal Perera and Karunaratne in the fourth over, and thereafter Sri Lanka's resistance was limited to Dilshan's punchy fifty. Shehzad was docked 50% of his match fee for grabbing Dilshan's bat and pushing him on the shoulder. Kulasekara was Saeed Ajmal's 102nd international wicket of 2013, breaking Saqlain Mushtaq's Pakistan record for most in a calendar year, set in 1997.
Man of the Match: Mohammad Hafeez.
Mohammad Hafeez hit a career-best 140 not out to clear the path for the highest total at Sharjah in almost 20 years. It set up Pakistan's 78th win there in one-day internationals - equalling Australia's ground record at the SCG (though Australia pulled clear again when they beat England there four weeks later). Sri Lanka's task would have been a great deal easier had Malinga not dropped a sitter at long-on to reprieve Hafeez on 26; even his unexpected direct hit to run out Ahmed Shehzad, halting the second-wicket stand at 160, could not fully atone. After that, Sri Lanka's misdirected stream of yorkers were punished by Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal. Umar Gul made a spectacular return after nine months out with knee problems, removing Kushal Perera and Karunaratne in the fourth over, and thereafter Sri Lanka's resistance was limited to Dilshan's punchy fifty. Shehzad was docked 50% of his match fee for grabbing Dilshan's bat and pushing him on the shoulder. Kulasekara was Saeed Ajmal's 102nd international wicket of 2013, breaking Saqlain Mushtaq's Pakistan record for most in a calendar year, set in 1997.
Man of the Match: Mohammad Hafeez.