HAMBANTOTA: Sri Lanka host Pakistan in the fifth and final One-day International, here at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, of what has been a largely one-sided series in favour of the visitors.

The match has no significance, as the tourists have already won three out of four matches. This series, the first for Sri Lanka in the absence of heavyweights Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene since their retirement post World Cup, has revealed many a weakness in the batting department.

Apart from being lop-sided, the series has lacked flavourful cliff-hangers; Sri Lanka’s only win was the closest match yet. Pakistan won the series opener comfortably, riding on the back of momentum gained from a well-deserved Test series win. Azhar Ali and his men carried on the form in the third and fourth ODIs after a brief lapse in the second match.

Hambantota: Pakistan captain Azhar Ali throws the ball during a practice session at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.—AFP

Like in the Tests, leg-spinner Yasir Shah has been impressive in the 50-over format too. However, Pakistan’s strength has been their batting to a large extent. Ahmed Shehzad, Azhar, and Mohammed Hafeez

have been among the runs while receiving adequate support from the others.

Sri Lanka’s batting, on the other hand, has been unreliable and inconsistent. Kusal Perera’s innings in the match Sri Lanka won was a throwback to the Sanath Jayasuriya years, while Dinesh Chandimal has looked consistent without being outstanding. Sri Lanka will surely like to get their act together in the final ODI to help their side salvage a consolation victory.

Not all the fault rests with the batting though; the hosts’ bowling attack has come across as toothless and seems to be lacking the punch despite the presence of seasoned paceman Lasith Malinga. It is evident that Sri Lanka have entered an inevitable stage of transition after the retirement of the big guns, and a win in the final match will quicken the process.

There are unlikely to be any sweeping changes in the side for Pakistan, though Sri Lanka might consider a few knee-jerk replacements.

Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik takes part in a warm-up session.—AFP

The upcoming India series will play on skipper Angelo Mathews’ mind as well, so he will want a bit of momentum going into the Test series. On the whole, Pakistan start as clear favourites having outclassed Sri Lanka in three out of the first four ODIs, and coming close in another.

Teams (from):

SRI LANKA: Angelo Mathews (captain), Dinesh Chandimal (wicket-keeper), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusa lPerera, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Milinda Siriwardana, AshanPriyanjan, NuwanPradeep, ThisaraPerera, SurangaLakmal, Lasith Malinga, Sachithra Senanayake, Seekuge Prasanna, Sachith Pathiran.

Sri Lankan all-rounder Sachith Pathirana delivers a ball during a nets session.—AFP

PAKISTAN: Azhar Ali (captain), Mukhtar Ahmed, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Ehsan Adil, Rahat Ali.

Umpires: Ranmore Martinesz (Sri Lanka) and Ian Gould (England)

TV umpire: Rod Tucker (Australia)

Match referee: Javagal Srinath (India).

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2015

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