Pakistan V Sri Lanka Live 5th ODI: Pakistan Gun For 4-1

Pakistan will look end on a high when they take on Sri Lanka in the fifth and what is an inconsequential match of the series.

The match, to be played at Abu Dhabi, will see the teams come out with different purposes – none associated with the winning of the series. Pakistan has already done with their stunning win in the fourth match and so, while they will want to take a winning momentum into the T20I game to follow, Sri Lanka will want to win it to keep the knives at bay.

And the knives will be sharpening. Tillakaratne Dilshan has been going through a rough patch in his cricket career, with neither his batting and nor his captaincy making any loud statements with their performance. With a tough away series against South Africa up next, Dilshan will know that his time as the captain of the side could be up sooner rather than later – and he needs to recapture some of the lost form.

Pakistan have been refreshingly good. They had had no such worries and one almost senses a touch of unity that had been so lacking in the recent years. Shahid Afridi’s overbearing presence with the ball in the middle overs has almost caused mental scars on the opposition and that was evident from the way the Lankans lost the previous game they should have won.

But even without Afridi, the Pakistani spinners have made it difficult for the Sri Lankan middle-order. Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez have been thrifty and the added pressure is getting them the wickets as well.

With Mahela Jayawardene ruled out of this game, things will get even more difficult for the batting. Unless confidence turns into complacency, Pakistan should be favourites to wrap this up 4-1. Sri Lanka needs a turnaround and quickly at that to have a chance in this encounter.