PAK v SL, 3rd ODI Review: Another emphatic performance seals the series for Pakistan

Pakistan registered their seventh consecutive victory in ODIs as they humiliated Sri Lanka showing no mercy at Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Inzamam-ul-Haq’s nephew Imam-ul-Haq’s selection was wronged by a lot of people, but the youngster registered a hundred in his first ever International game to seal an easy win for his country.

Niroshan Dickwella had a fantastic Test series but failed to repeat his heroics in the limited overs. Though he was involved in a 50-run stand with Upul Tharanga, he contributed only 18 and was dismissed off a peach from Hasan Ali. Skipper Tharanga’s brilliant run continued as he got to yet another spectacular half-century.

He did stitch a 43-run partnership with Dinesh Chandimal, but the latter was clearly struggling. When Chandimal fell due to Shadab Khan’s brilliance, the leggie managed to send the skipper back to the hunt in his next over. They looked in a decent position up to a point, but two quick wickets pulled them into a predicament.

The innings progressed quite cautiously thereafter as the fast bowlers and the spinners did a terrific job post then. Chamara Kapugedara and Lahiru Thirimanne tried to stay there for some time, but their resilience was not strong enough. Sri Lanka’s batting collapse started with Kapugedara’s wicket and two more wickets fell in the next two overs. Hasan Ali was a major headache for the tail as he ran through them with ease.

The visitors were in a lot of trouble at that point and Thisara Perera’s short little knock helped them get past the 200-run mark. He stitched a brilliant partnership with Dushmantha Chameera for the 9th wicket and thanks to their effort, they were able to post something more respectable. They added 42 for the 9th wicket and soon after they crossed the 200-run barrier, they got bowled out for 208 runs.

Hasan Ali was the star of the evening with the ball. He picked up 5 crucial wickets and gave away just 34 runs in his 10 overs. Shadab Khan registered figures of 2/37 as well and their collective effort didn’t let them get into the game easily.

The “Nephew” shuts all the controversies

There was so much talk about Imam-ul-Haq (Inzamam-ul-Haq’s nephew) getting selected in the side ahead of the in-form Fawad Alam, but the youngster reciprocated brilliantly in his first match with a stellar hundred. The 22-year-old showed great composure and exhibited some brilliant skills with the willow, helping his side triumph easily against the Islanders.

Fakhar Zaman and Imam played some stunning shots off the new ball. Lahiru Gamage and Dushantha Chameera were brilliant with the new ball, but the batting rendition on the day was just too good. After adding a brilliant 78-run stand for the opening wicket with Fakhar, the partnership was put to bed Jeffrey Vandersay.

Soon after, Imam completed his half-century and added another decent stand with Babar Azam. Imam played some lofted shots in the early part of his innings, but the way he composed himself as the ball got a little softer speaks volumes of his caliber. Babar Azam took the onus upon himself to score quickly, being the in-form batsman. The duo added 66 runs for the second wicket.

Babar Azam’s stumps went for cart-wheeling thanks to a brilliant delivery from Gamage. It was a reward for some patient build-up and he was palpably happy with it. Nevertheless, it was too little too late as Mohammad Hafeez and Imam guided their side steadily towards the target. On their way, Imam became only the second Pakistani cricketer after Saleem Elahi to score a hundred on ODI debut.

The knock meant a great deal for him as there were a lot of questions being raised about his selection. There definitely ain’t a better way to shut all these controversies than this. He got out immediately after getting to three figures, but Hafeez and Malik steered Pakistan to an unassailable 3-0 lead in the 5-match series.

Brief Scores

Sri Lanka: 208 all out in 48.2 overs (Upul Tharanga 61, Thisara Perera 38; Hasan Ali 5/34)

Pakistan: 209/3 in 42.3 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 100, Mohammad Hafeez 34)