COLOMBO, (Reuters) – Pakistan clinched a second consolation victory in the fifth and final one-day international against Sri Lanka yesterday but the hosts still won the series 3-2.
Pakistan, who lost the first three games of the series in Dambulla, won by 132 runs after scoring an impressive 279 for eight, skipper Younus Khan leading from the front with 76 and Misbah-ul-Haq supporting with an undefeated 73.
New ball bowlers Naved-ul-Hasan and Mohammad Aamer then claimed four wickets each as Sri Lanka collapsed in front of a disappointed full house and were bowled out for 147 in 34.2 overs.
Seventeen-year-old left-armer Aamer, considered Pakistan’s find of the year, took four for 28 with the wickets of Upul Tharanga (nought), Mahela Jayawardene (31), Chamara Kapugedera (one) and Angelo Mathews (five).
Naved-ul-Hasan claimed four for 44, including the key scalps of Sanath Jayasuriya (six) and Kumar Sangakkara (16), both of whom were deceived by a slower googly delivered out of the back of the hand.
The hosts were only in the hunt briefly when Jayawardene and Sangakkara shared a 35-run stand for the third wicket.
Left-hander Thilina Kandamby, playing for his place in the team, saved Sri Lanka from the ignominy of a record defeat with 42 not out, adding 71 with Malinga Bandara (31) for the ninth wicket.
Earlier, Khan anchored Pakistan’s innings with a 100-ball knock that included five boundaries and was supported by Misbah-ul-Haq, who scored an unbeaten 73 from 82 balls with five boundaries.
Opener Imran Nazir blazed 35 from 23 balls, including six fours, to give Pakistan a quick start on a flat batting pitch after they won the toss. Middle order batsman Mohammad Yousuf chipped in with 43 off 55 balls.
Paceman Nuwan Kulasekara was Sri Lanka’s best bowler, finishing with three for 46 from his 10 overs.
Sri Lanka rested spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and pace bowlers Thilan Thushara and Lasith Malinga.
