5 Talking points of the Sri Lanka v Pakistan 4th ODI

5 Talking points of the Sri Lanka v Pakistan 4th ODI: After the visiting Pakistani side gained a lead of 2-1 over Sri Lanka in the series they knew that the moment to clinch a historic series win in Sri Lanka was round the corner as they took the field in the 4th ODI. When the meticulous Pakistani bowlers restricted the Sri Lankans to a total of 256; the uphill task was half-done. But, in cricket there is a saying that never say never. The otherwise unpredictable Pakistani team after turmoil of around 9 years on the Sri Lankan soil carved the historic landmark of a series conquest under the captaincy of Azhar Ali with seven wickets in hand. Now, they have the inaccessible lead of 3-1 in the 5- match ODI series. So now, take a look at the 5 Talking points of the Sri Lanka v Pakistan 4th ODI: 1. Ahmed Shehzad’s blistering knock of 95 runs: Ahmed Shehzad. (Photo Source: AFP) When the Selfie King Ahmed Shehzad gets going, then his brutal batting is piercing enough to menace any bowlers. Who knows this better than the Lankan spinner Pathirana who was pounded for a six on the first ball he bowled. In his 90 ball 95 runs knock there was hardly any bowler who could pose any danger to him as he looked in utmost ease and even thwarted Lasith Malinga for two consecutive boundaries when he looked like the most miser of the lot. For the second wicket Shehzad combined with Mohammad Hafeez in a match winning 115 run stand. It was only Perera’s brilliant diving catch which prevented him from reaching the three figure mark. 2. Collapse of Sri Lankan team from 170/4 to 256/9: Angelo Matthews. (Photo Source: AFP) After Mohammad Irfan sent the Sri Lankan opener Kushal Perera back to the pavilion on the second ball of the match. The veteran Sri Lankan opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan and in-form Thirmanne marshaled the Sri Lankan innings at a good run rate for the next 133 deliveries which took their score past 100 runs. Sri Lanka at a score of 170/4 after 36 over looked like getting to a score in excess of 270 runs but then their batting collapsed like a pack of cards and they lost their next 5 wickets for only 86 runs in the last 14 overs which completely changed the complexion of the game in favor of the visiting Pakistani side. 3. Disciplined bowling and excellent fielding by Pakistani team: Pakistan. (Photo Source: AFP) The Pakistani side has always been the home of supremely talented bowlers in international circuit. Whoever is the opponent or whatever may be the pitch but they always have something in the box to outwit the batsmen. Today, also Pakistani bowlers put up a great show with the ball which was equally backed up by the brilliant fielding efforts which was very unlike the Pakistani team, we know. Mohammad Irfan took 3 wickets, while Anwar Ali chipped in with two crucial lower order wickets of Siriwardana and Priyanjan. Rahat Ali, Yasir Shah and Imad Wasim picked up 1-wicket each. They restricted the home team from posting a big total on the board. 4. Poor bowling by Sri Lankan bowlers: Shoaib Malik sealed the victory with a SIX! (Photo Source: Associated Press) With the decline in the magnificence of Lasith Malinga who once shivered the opponents with his subtle variations, the Sri Lankan bowling never seems the same. Today also Sri Lanka’s inability to take early wickets got exposed when their pace spearheads Malinga and Suranga Lakmal hardly posed any questions on Pakistan’s openers which led the game drift away. And injury to Nuwan Pradeep only made things even more demoralizing for the home side. Pathirana also proved to be very expensive as he conceded 81 runs in his full quota of 10 overs while the likes of Angelo Matthews, Dilshan and Siriwardana were like a cakewalk for the visitors. 5. Thirmanne once again proved his mettle with a gritty knock of 90 runs: Lahiru Thiramanne. (Photo Source: AFP) The Sri Lanka’s man in-form, Thirmanne once again looked in sublime touch, it seemed as if he had started his innings from where he had left in the previous match. The southpaw looked adept at rotating the strike and building the Lankan innings but he hardly got any support from the other end which even made his life difficult. Thirimanne’s late cuts reached near perfection while his drives were smooth and flawless. Due to the pitfalls of the other teammates, he had to go for a big sweep which ultimately brought his downfall and denied him a well deserving century.