49.2 overs Sri Lanka 236 (Dickwella 73, Junaid 3-40, Hasan 3-43, Amir 2-53) v Pakistan
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Mohammad Amir bowled Angelo Mathews in the 32nd which triggered a Sri Lanka collapse © Getty Images
Pakistan bowled as only Pakistan can. That’s probably enough to summarise an innings where Sri Lanka saw off the new ball, kept control of their innings, maintained a steady run-rate and dominated for large parts of their innings. Yet, they were bowled out on 236, well below the par score, owing to a sensational four-over burst from Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan. The two left-armers ripped the heart out of the Sri Lankan middle order as they went from 161 for 3 to 167 for 7.
It was superb fast bowling, evoking comparisons with some of the greats of Pakistan cricket. That it came right after the innings’ second drinks break spoke either for some kind of strategy, or an especially rousing team talk from the captain Sarfraz Ahmed. Either way, it was match-turning.
Sri Lanka were setting up effectively for the final flourish, with Niroshan Dickwella and Angelo Mathews locked in a settled partnership, before Amir dismissed Mathews off the second ball of the 32nd over, the batsman dragging on. Junaid followed up next over with a length delivery that seamed teasingly away from newcomer Dhananjaya de Sliva and took his outside edge. Sarfraz then pulled off a superb reflex catch to get rid of the Dickwella for 73 and Thisara Perera was caught at slip next over. Sri Lanka’s position of strength was decimated in mere minutes.
It was a credit to their lower order that they managed to salvage something from the wreck they had been left in, as Asela Gunaratne and Suranga Lakmal combined for what could turn out to be a vital 46-run partnership for the eighth wicket. But Hasan Ali returned to remove both of them, finishing with 3 for 42. Debutant allrounder Faheem Ashraf wrapped things up and Pakistan went into the lunch break much the happier side.
Amir and Junaid had begun the game with their tails up, encouraged by the overcast conditions in Cardiff. But if they had visions of early breakthroughs, they were duly subdued by the Sri Lankan top order, which saw off the early swing. Even after Danushka Gunathilaka lobbed a catch to mid-off in the sixth over, Dickwella and Mendis ensured the first hour belonged to the Sri Lankans, their side 81 for 1 after 14 overs.
But just as they looked to kick on, Hasan, Pakistan’s man of the moment, produced a flash of genius. He bowled an in-dipper from wide of the crease and found the target even as Mendis tried in vain to plug the gap between bat and pad. Two balls later, Pakistan were in a huddle again. When they came out of it, Ashraf got his maiden ODI wicket as Dinesh Chandimal inside edged a drive that dislodged the bail on his leg stump.
Dickwella and Mathews took control of the innings from thereon. They began cautiously, looking to stabilise the innings, but once Mathews got his eye in, it was difficult to tie the pair down. Ashraf let the ball slip out of his hand the resulting full toss nearly took Dickwella’s head off; the ensuing free hit went for four.
The run-rate started shooting up as the batsmen began to manipulate the gaps expertly. Mathews stepped out beautifully to loft Mohammad Hafeez for a straight six, while Dickwella timed an exquisite drive through cover off Imad Wasim, and Sri Lanka appeared to have rebuilt effectively. However, Amir and Junaid had the final say about that.
Danyal Rasool is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @Danny61000
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo