Tissera picks positives in series defeat

Just over a week ago, before the start of the Abu Dhabi series, it was hard to imagine a young Pakistan team, with a new captain and without the services of a coach, would go into the final ODI having already wrapped up the series

Mohammad Asif has received an official reprimand from Javagal Srinath, the match referee, for his reaction after dismissing Mahela Jayawardene in the second ODI at Abu Dhabi

Dilhara Fernando, an accurate set of throws and the omnipresent panic button accompanying the Pakistan team earned Sri Lanka a well-deserved victory in the final match

Match home for the third ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi

Pakistan, brimming with confidence after their five-wicket win, take on Sri Lanka in the second one-dayer at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi aiming to seal the series and crown Shoaib Malik's debut series as captain in style

Shahid Afridi claimed three wickets as Pakistan trounced Sri Lanka by 98 runs in the second ODI to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series

Match home for Pakistan v Sri Lanka, May 20, 2007

Sri Lanka and Pakistan begin their three-match one-day international series in Abu Dhabi on Friday with events off the field providing a twist to a tournament whose status was unclear till a few days ago

A scintillating unbeaten 73 off just 34 balls by Shahid Afridi sealed a convincing win for Pakistan