Ahmed Shehzad (95) and Mohammad Hafeez (70) ensure Pakistan win the 4th ODI comfortably by 7 wickets.

By PakPassion Staff (22nd July, 2015)

Result: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets (Ahmed Shehzad 95, Mohammad Hafeez 70, Mohammad Irfan 3-50)

Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first

Pakistan went in with an unchanged side from the 3rd ODI while Thisara and Upul Tharanga were out, Ashan Priyanjan and Suranga Lakmal came in for Sri Lanka. Pakistan made the early breakthrough when Mohammad Irfan got the key wicket of Kusal Perera with the second ball of the match. Dilshan and Thirimanne were then involved in a 100 run partnership when Imad Wasim bowled Dilshan for fifty to get the breakthrough. The spinners applied pressure and stopped the flow of runs when Mathews in an attempt to score quickly came down the track and was caught at mid-off as Rahat Ali got his first wicket. Chandimal didn't last long either when was dismissed for 20 by Mohammad Irfan.

Thirimanne continued to march on and pick up the gaps and score at a good rate to reach 90, he was eventually caught by Ahmed Shehzad at deep mid-wicket trying to slog sweep Yasir Shah. Anwar Ali then came back for his second spell to get the wickets of Siriwardana and Priyanjan for 19 and 18 runs respectively. Sri Lanka looked for quick runs from their tail-enders when Malinga contributed with 17 as Sri Lanka ended their innings on 256-9. Mohammad Irfan was pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-50.

Ahmed Shehzad and Azhar were off to a positive start in the chase hitting Malinga for boundaries. Shehzad also milked Pathirana for 13 in the over as Pakistan reached fifty in 6.5 overs. Malinga came back for another spell and the pressure applied by the dot balls over the last few overs prompted Azhar to go for the big shot and was eventually caught at deep third man for 33, a partnership of 75 runs.

Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez saw off Malinga who bowled a tight spell to score off the other bowlers. Both the batsmen were involved in a 115 runs partnership when Shehzad was caught the third man boundary of a wider delivery for 95. Pakistan were 190-2 at this stage when Sarfraz Ahmed was again promoted up the order. Mohammad Hafeez was caught behind for 70 as he came down the track and edged one off Siriwardana.

Shoaib Malik played a cameo of *29 from 16 balls and Sarfraz Ahmed 17* as Pakistan cruised to the target with 9.1 overs and 7 wickets to spare. Pakistan lead the 5 match ODI series 3-1.

Fall of Wickets (Sri Lanka):

Kusal 1-0 (0.2 overs)
Dilshan 2-109 (22.3 overs)
Mathews 3-143 (30.4 overs)
Chandimal 4-170 (35.6 overs)
Thirimanne 5-186 (41.1 overs)
Siriwardana 6-215 (44.3 overs)
Priyanjan 7-228 (46.3 overs)
Pathirana 8-243 (48.1 overs)
Malinga 9-252 (49.2 overs)

Fall of Wickets (Pakistan):

Azhar 1-75 (11.1 overs)
Shehzad 2-190 (31.2 overs)
Hafeez 3-213 (36.1 overs)

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