In the final ODI played at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Pakistan restricted Sri Lanka to 218 for 9 and then reached the target with three wickets and 16 balls to spare. With the 4-1 margin Pakistan move up to fifth in the ICC ODI Rankings.
Though none of the teams had chased over 200 in the first four ODIs, Pakistan did so with supreme confidence as Misbah played a captain’s knock of 66 from 99 balls and was involved, first in a 62-run stand for the 3rd wicket with Younus Khan and then added 84 runs for the 5th wicket with Akmal.
While Asad Shafiq (26) and Younus Khan (38) played their roles the young Akmal remained unbeaten on 61 from 60 balls with eight boundaries. Earlier during the Lankan innings, replacing Sarfraz Ahmad as the wicketkeeper, Akmal took three catches to complete a match-winning role.
For Sri Lanka Jeevan Mendis picked up three wickets while Dilhara Fernando scalped two.
Earlier Tanvir announced his return to form with a 4 for 34 haul as the Sri Lankans once again failed to put up a challenging total and finished on 218 for 9.
The Lankans, who have lost the ODI series 3-1 were looking to win this final encounter and salvage some pride but Tanvir, recalled despite figures of 0-58 in the third ODI in Dubai, turned in a pleasing display cheered on by a few thousand Pakistani fans.
Tanvir struck two early blows after Sri Lankan skipper Thilakaratne Dilshan elected to bat first and then returned to scalp two more wickets in the final over to give his team a good chance of completing a 4-1 win.
Pakistan brought in Tanvir, Junaid Khan and Asad Shafiq while Sri Lanka, depleted by the absence of Mahela Jayawardene, replaced the master batsman with Chamara Silva.
However after Tanvir had Upul Tharanga caught by wicketkeeper Umar Akmal for three, Umar Gul got rid of skipper Dilshan, Akmal again in the act behind the stumps. Tanvir got rid of Dinesh Chandimal and Sri Lanka were soon reduced to 32 for 3, it looked like a familiar story.
Chamara Silva, who flew in just the other day, walked in and walked out after just one run, Junaid Khan helping himself to a wicket in his very first over. Junaid bowled only two more overs before he left the field with an injury and a scan revealed that he had torn a stomach muscle and will now be out of action for nearly six weeks.
Four down for 46 and it was that man Kumar Sangakkara who once again stood rock solid and in partnership with vice captain Mathew Agnelo repaired the damage.
While Sangakkara was in a punishing mood, Agnelo took his time and together they shared a 118-run stand for the 5th wicket.
Sangakkara slammed eight boundaries in his 100-ball knock of 78 but perished when he tried to break free of the spin web which ensured a boundary-less spell of nearly 14 overs. Sangakkara tried to drive over extra cover but was caught by Misbah off Mohammad Hafeez.
Agnelo who started well with two sixes off Gul, went on to score 61 with the help of two more boundaries but was bowled off his legs to leave Sri Lanka on 180 for 7.
A cameo by Thisara Perera (25 off 18 balls) helped Sri Lanka cross the 200 and they finished on 218 for 9 but that could not stop Pakistan from completing a 4-1 triumph.
[/img][/COLOR]
for sharing
![[JUGRAJ SINGH]](https://www.unp.me/data/avatars/s/123/123038.jpg?1591210006){kind=avatar}