Sri Lanka look to salvage some pride in the final ODI after losing the series
Having already lost the series 3-1 to Pakistan, Sri Lanka have only pride to play for when they take on Pakistan in the last match of the 5 match ODI series. The hosts have been inconsistent throughout the series which allowed Pakistan to take an unassailable lead.
The biggest challenge for Sri Lanka will be to get their combination right and click as a unit if they want to beat an in form Azhar Ali led Pakistan. The visitors have been brilliant throughout the series and must be looking to continue the good work at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota.
Form Guide
Pakistan: In last four to five years Pakistan has been criticized for being inconsistent on more than one occasion and their inability to win matches against bigger sides has also been exposed. However, the team looks far more settled under their new captain Ali. After winning three matches against Sri Lanka, they have already taken an unbeatable lead in this series.
Currently, sitting on 8th position in ICC ODI rankings with 90 points, Pakistan must be eyeing another win to get two more points which can prove crucial in their bid to qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy. The team looks far more settled than any time in the near past.
Pakistan’s inconsistent batting has always been a big problem for them but in this series Ali has led from the front by scoring runs and has got good support from senior players like Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez. Mohammad Rizwan is also looking solid in the lower order and has given some useful contributions. Yasir Shah has troubled all the Lankan batsmen with his leg spin on this tour and will once again be the key bowler for Pakistan.
Sri Lanka: After the retirement of their key players(Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene), everyone knew that things are not going to be easy for Sri Lanka but with the way they have surrendered the series to Pakistan has raised a lot of eyebrows. “We are not worried about losing”, Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews kept saying while his side suffered three heavy losses.
Sri Lankan bowling is the biggest concern at the moment as there is nobody to inspire and lead the attcak. Lasith Malinga looks like only a shadow of his glorious past and even the coach Maravn Attapatu said, “Malinga’s lack of penetration was one of the reasons why we lost the series”. Bowling coach Chaminda Vaas also criticized his bolwers openly by saying, “Our fast bowlers are currently overweight”.
Batting looks like a more stable department for Sri Lanka, but Lahiru Thirimane, Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews himself needs to bat with more authority and responsibility as they have really big boots to fill.
Team News
This match may be only a formality for Pakistan having already won the series, they are unlikely to make any change with ranking points on the line and Champions League Qualification deadline approaching.
Sri Lanka might make a few changes in order to gain their lost form. Thisara Perera can play instead of an injured Nuwan Pradeep. Sachitra Senanayke can also play his first match of the series in place of Sachith Pathirana who conceeded over eight an over in the previous outing.
Key Players
Sri Lanka: Kushal Perera and Angelo Mathews. Kushal Perera may not be as consistent as Sri Lankan fans would like him to be but a quick fire fifty from him on top can provide a base for a big score. He needs to take inspiration from his Pallekele innings which helped Sri Lanka win. Angelo Mathews is always going to be the most important player every time Lankans will take the field and the captain needs to come good both with the bat as well as with ball.
Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad and Azhar Ali. The opening duo has been in superb form giving Pakistan some great starts. Azhar Ali’s form as an opener has been remarkable while Shehzad finally looks like finding the consistency Pakistan always demanded from him.
Probable XI
Sri Lanka: 1 Kusal Perera, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Lahiru Thirimanne, 4 Angelo Mathews (capt.), 5 Dinesh Chandimal (wk), 6 Ashan Priyanjan, 7 Milinda Siriwardene, 8 Sachith Pathirana/ Sachithra Senanayake, 9 Thisara Perera/ Lahiru Gamage, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Suranga Lakmal
Pakistan: 1 Azhar Ali (capt.), 2 Ahmed Shehzad, 3 Mohammad Hafeez, 4 Shoaib Malik, 5 Mohammad Rizwan, 6 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 7 Imad Wasim, 8 Anwar Ali, 9 Yasir Shah, 10 Rahat Ali, 11 Mohammad Irfan