Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 2015
Wisden's review of the third ODI, Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 2015
15-Apr-2016
At Colombo (RPS), July 19, 2015 (day/night). Pakistan won by 135 runs. Toss: Pakistan. One-day international debut: Imad Wasim.
It was not a proud evening for Sri Lanka. Pummelled by Pakistan, they also had to endure an outbreak of violence among the crowd, which forced a half-hour delay. Rocks were thrown inside the south-eastern stand and, when some of the offenders - thought to be Sri Lankan Muslims cheering for Pakistan - were ejected from the ground, more projectiles came in from outside the stadium, through the back of the same open stand. One big stone reached the field, and play was suspended until the situation was brought under control. Pakistan's victory was set up by a commanding batting performance, featuring a lively opening stand, brisk fifties from Mohammad Hafeez and Sarfraz Ahmed, and a late sprint that lifted them well past 300. Sarfraz pilfered singles and rarely allowed a poor ball to go unpunished, ending with 77 from 74 deliveries, before he was run out in a mix-up with Shoaib Malik, who then piled on 59 with Mohammad Rizwan in less than six overs. Sri Lanka were never on terms after losing Dilshan and Kusal Perera in successive overs from Anwar Ali, and subsided for 181. Yasir Shah, their nemesis in the Tests, claimed a one-day best of four for 29.
Man of the Match: Sarfraz Ahmed.
It was not a proud evening for Sri Lanka. Pummelled by Pakistan, they also had to endure an outbreak of violence among the crowd, which forced a half-hour delay. Rocks were thrown inside the south-eastern stand and, when some of the offenders - thought to be Sri Lankan Muslims cheering for Pakistan - were ejected from the ground, more projectiles came in from outside the stadium, through the back of the same open stand. One big stone reached the field, and play was suspended until the situation was brought under control. Pakistan's victory was set up by a commanding batting performance, featuring a lively opening stand, brisk fifties from Mohammad Hafeez and Sarfraz Ahmed, and a late sprint that lifted them well past 300. Sarfraz pilfered singles and rarely allowed a poor ball to go unpunished, ending with 77 from 74 deliveries, before he was run out in a mix-up with Shoaib Malik, who then piled on 59 with Mohammad Rizwan in less than six overs. Sri Lanka were never on terms after losing Dilshan and Kusal Perera in successive overs from Anwar Ali, and subsided for 181. Yasir Shah, their nemesis in the Tests, claimed a one-day best of four for 29.
Man of the Match: Sarfraz Ahmed.