Pakistan got a scare from Sri Lanka as they won the ODI Series by 2-0 with the first ODI being washed out at Karachi. ODI Series was played in Pakistan after 4 years; earlier in 2015 Pakistan had hosted Zimbabwe for a 3 match ODI Series and also for 3 T20I Series. There was a lot of security hype going around and as a result Sri Lanka’s 11 senior and experienced players pulled out of the tour as earlier in 2009 Sri Lanka’s bus had been attacked by terrorists and in that attack Mahela Jayawardene , Kumar Sangakkara , and many players got severely injured.
Pakistan’s new head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul- Haq showed faith in Sarfaraz as a skipper and that somewhat paid off as Pakistan avoided a humiliating ODI Series loss. Babar Azam once again was a rock in Pakistan’s batting line up as he scored 146 runs which included a 1 century, he has an impeccable technique of rotating the strike which what makes him a dangerous batsman. Fakhar Zaman the dashing batsman showed mental application this time as he controlled his shot making through off side which has been a weak point after his brilliance showcased in Champions Trophy 2017 and in this ODI Series he scored 130 runs which included 2 half-centuries. Haris Sohail the elegant batsman who had given Pakistan a glimmer of hope in the WC 2019 when the former captain and retired Shoaib Malik was struggling for form, he played match winning knocks and brought back the belief back in dressing room; once again showcased his shrewdness in finishing the matches as he scored 96 runs which included 1 half century. Sarfaraz the skipper while batting once again failed to control the innings of the team and when it came to captaincy he was marshalling his troops but at the same time he was fuming and shouting at the players a lot and this has been happening from the last 2-3 years which is a worry for the environment of the dressing room of Pakistan team and also for the Board. Usman Shinwari who missed out on WC berth as he did a reasonably good job against South Africa in South Africa but failed to live the expectations against Australia just before the WC, but this time he took 6 wickets which included 1 five wicket haul. Mohammed Aamir who recently announced his retirement from red ball cricket was a treat to watch in the white ball as he took 4 wickets. Wahab Riaz the veteran fast bowler wasn’t that much threatening with his reverse swing as a result he was taken to the cleaners by batsman and he took only 2 wickets. Shadab Khan the young leg spinner got a severe beating from the batsman but was also rewarded with 3 wickets. Pakistan displayed a mediocre performance in this ODI Series because Sri Lanka had a second-string team which would have been easily demolished but Pakistan lacked the skill of wrapping up the game which is badly needed if you want to win against Champion teams.
Sri Lanka’s second-string team which was led by the experienced Lahiru Thirimanne was awful when it came towards batting as he throwed an invaluable start in which he had done all the hard work because even after playing more than 125 ODI matches he has to sit on the bench. Danushka Gunathilaka who has been in and out of the team from the last year or two made the most of this opportunity as he notched up an attacking century and scored 147 runs which included a knock of 133 runs in the 3rd ODI match. Avishka Fernanado who is considered as the next big thing in the Sri Lanka was woeful throughout the ODI Series. Shehan Jayasuriya was a complete package which Sri Lanka needed as he scored 99 runs which included a courageous knock of 96 runs in the 2nd ODI match where Sri Lanka were almost blown away in the run chase even before 15 overs were finished. And he was also economical with his right arm off breaks. Dasun Shanaka the fast arm medium bowling allrounder was sumptuous when it came towards clean hitting as he scored 111 runs which included a knock of 68 runs in 2nd ODI when the run chase was looking gloomy. Nuwan Pradeep who was the most experienced bowler in the team didn’t took wickets in the crunch situations and was also expensive but was rewarded with 2 wickets. Wanidu Hasaranga the right arm leg spinner lead the spin department as he took 3 wickets and was also economical; he came into the team as Akila Dananjay the right arm off spinner has been suspended by the ICC for illegal bowling action which has happened for the second time in a year. Isuru Udana and Lahiru Kumara failed to mark a point in this ODI Series. Sri Lanka could have definitely created an upset and perhaps won the ODI Series also only if they would have avoided batting collapses which now has been taking place on a consistent basis from the last couple of years and the bowlers of Sri Lanka should bowl in partnerships to pick wickets in regular intervals; but overall the performance of Sri Lanka was a decent one with new faces who were in and out of team made a mark that Sri Lankan cricket team also has a type of benchmark.
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