NO CONTEST Clinical Lankans Crush Sorry Paks

• Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Third and Final ODI – Dambulla

 The large crowds that thronged the Dambulla stadium for the anticipated close battle between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the series decider were no doubt pleased to see the home team win but must have left feeling cheated as the game was ended as a contest very early in the day.

Pakistan were dismissed for a paltry 102 – their lowest one-day score in five years – which enabled a clinical Sri Lanka to ease to a seven-wicket and clinch the three-match series 2-1.

The tourists were badly let down by their batsmen as they were dismissed for their lowest total in Sri Lanka in 32.1 overs, with just three batsmen reaching double figures and only Fawad Alam showing any sort of resolve in his 38 not out.

The hosts knocked off the runs in just 18 overs to end a disappointing game that had lasted a total of 50 overs – only half the allotted number.

Thisara Perera took four lower-order wickets but Pakistan’s batsmen had only themselves to blame for their situation before Sri Lanka comfortably knocked off the runs with a whopping 178 balls to spare, thanks to Tillakaratne Dilshan’s unbeaten 50, as they clinched the series 2-1.

Their task was made ever so slightly easier as heavy rain meant the game was reduced to 48 overs per side and Sri Lanka’s victory target narrowed down by two runs to 101. This was perhaps one game where the crowds would have been praying for more rain so that the ultimate target would be sufficiently adjusted courtesy Duckworth and Lewis to produce a bit more of a challenge to the hosts and entertainment for the fans.

When Sri Lanka batted, if Pakistan had any hopes of putting pressure on the hosts with some early wickets they were quickly dispelled. Dilshan settled into his stride with three crunching fours in the second over as Sri Lanka’s opening stand put on 46 to all but ensure the win.

Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene were all dismissed – Jayawardene departing to a careless waft when the scores were level – but Dilshan led the way, taking Sri Lanka past their victory target in the 19th over with his ninth four that also brought up his half-century and signaled a welcome return to form by the veteran opener.

Sri Lanka were earlier grateful for the type of implosion only usually reserved for Pakistan, who chose to bat after winning the toss.

Dhammika Prasad – playing in place of Nuwan Kulasekera in the only change in the home team –

proved how useful his extra pace was to the attack, giving the batsmen a testing time before removing both openers Sharjeel Khan and Ahmed Shehzad.

Khan lasted just six balls before he edged Prasad to the safe hands of Mahela Jayawardene at second slip without scoring to leave Pakistan on four for one.

Shehzad (10) was then beaten by Prasad’s pace and his attempted pull ended up in the hands of Thisara Perera at mid wicket. Things went from bad to worse when in the very next over Mohammed Hafeez was trapped leg before by Lasith Malinga – the batsman reviewed the decision but could not overturn it.

Pakistan was now wobbling at 17 for three after eight overs and badly needed a rescue act from their two most consistent scorers in the series – skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and Fawad Alam.

However that was not to be when captain Misbah-ul-Haq found himself well short of his ground after attempting a suicidal single – with Dilshan’s throw from point bringing about the third run-out in his last seven innings.

Umar Akmal’s needless slash to mid-on gave Perera the first of his four scalps, while Shahid Afridi fell in characteristic fashion, caught on the off-side aiming a big heave off Seekkuge Prasanna.

An hour’s rain delay meant Sri Lanka had to wait to polish off their opponents but there was to be no wag in the tail from Pakistan, with Fawad left stranded following a resolute 73-ball innings that contained three fours.

It was Pakistan’s lowest total in an ODI since they crumpled to 75 all out against the same opposition in Lahore in 2009 and ultimately handed victory to Sri Lanka.