Pakistan complete whitewash
Pakistan achieved a 5-0 whitewash in ODIs for the first time since 2008. © AFP
That's that then! Pakistan have completed a 5-0 whitewash. A thoroughly dominant win to cap off the achievement in the ODI series. Sri Lanka were supposed to turn up and sully Pakistan's series scoreline but they never did. The last thing that went their way on an immensely forgettable day was the toss, which the Sri Lankan captain won and opted to bat. Even on a 'flat' surface, Usman Khan Shinwari managed to extract as much as he could early to complete a superb five-wicket haul that was completed in the seventh over of the game. There was surely no coming back from that. Pakistan lost the wicket of Fakhar Zaman but that didn't hurt them at all, as they walked to a nine-wicket victory.
Fakhar Zaman misses half-century
There comes the wicket - Fakhar Zaman falls two short of a half-century, but it may have come too late for Sri Lanka to do something about it. Pakistan are just 20 runs away from a victory.
No hiccups for Pakistan...yet
The hosts are cruising at the moment, with Fakhar Zaman getting some runs under his belt. Mickey Arthur must be pleased. Sri Lanka don't look any closer to breaking through. Just a matter of when, and not if, for Pakistan to complete the whitewash.
Steady start for Pakistan
No drama for Pakistan in the chase so far. Vishwa Fernando has managed to tie Imam ul Haq for a bit but the left-hander steps out and flays a length delivery over extra cover for four. Both Zaman and Imam have been largely untroubled. This should be over early.
Sri Lanka bowled out for 103
Hasan Ali's famous pump-and-boom celebration is also not as elaborate as usual. But that doesn't matter, he has picked his second wicket that ended Sri Lanka's painful batting essay that included seven single-digit scores and a modest highest of 25. It took just 27 overs for Pakistan to dismantle an already struggling Sri Lanka, and unless the visitors find a Shinwari of their own, there is only one way this "contest" is heading. Stay tuned.
Sri Lanka go past 100
Who would've thought? Considering the absolute shambles that they began their batting in.
Shadab takes two - Sri Lanka 85 for 9
Thisara Perera showed some spunk, alas not for long. He's been sent packing for a 29-ball 25. Jeffrey Vandersay was trapped LBW just a couple of balls after Perera's ouster and Sri Lanka are nine down.
Lazy running brings No. 7
This is getting sillier by the minute. Perera taps the ball to point and runs. Prasanna could have still made the ground if he had attempted a dive. He lazily looks to plonk his bat in and is caught short by an accurate hit from Shadab Khan.
A brief resistance and then Thirimanne becomes No. 6
Usman Khan has been given a breather so that is an opportunity for Hasan Ali to get among the wickets. He doesn't need a second invitation given the kind of year he's been having. Goes round the wicket and Thirimanne, who's just gotten into double digits, pokes one unnecessarily to the keeper.
A fifer in 3.3 overs - Take a bow Usman Khan Shinwari
If you are just tuning in you have missed just seven overs of this contest. Oh wait, you've also missed an ODI five-fer. Usman Khan Shinwari has just ripped the heart out of Sri Lanka's batting with a spell of top quality. This sustained pressure has resulted in a loose shot. Milinda Siriwardana has hit a full delivery straight to cover. Usman offers prayers to the almighty. It's a five-fer in his second ODI.
Sri Lanka are 20/5 . Where are the runs going to come from. All eyes on Thirimanne
Four for Usman Khan Shinwari
Sri Lanka are a shambles here. They've lost four wickets inside three overs after electing to bat. And it's Usman Khan Shinwari who's making the ball talk. Upul Tharanga, Sri Lanka's captain, is castled for a second game in a row by the inducker. There's a big gap between bat and pad and the ball snakes through it to crash in to the stumps.
Another inswinger and Sri Lanka are four down. The ball came back in sharply and Niroshan Dickwella, still new at the crease, can't sort his feet quickly enough and is beaten on the flick. The ball raps the pad and the umpire gives it out. Dickwella reviews and the only positive of for him is that they'll hold on to that review despite the umpire's call staying!
8 for 4 ! Tharanga made 8 of those runs. Three others have got ducks.
Two down in one over
Oh oh oh! Not what Upul Tharanga had in mind when he won the toss. By the end of the first over from Usman Khan Shinwari, two batsmen are back in the hut. It's a second duck in a row for Samarawickrama (If there's any solace both Sachin Tendulkar and Kane WIlliamson too began their ODI carers with twin ducks )
Samarawickrama pushes away from the body to the one that comes back in. The inside edge ricochets on to the stumps.
Usman Khan then pushes one across new man Dinesh Chandimal, who is lured into a drive by the fuller length. The edge is snaffled by Sarfraz. Two in Two for Pakistan! What a start
Toss and teams:
Sri Lanka have won the toss and opted to bat first in the final ODI. Three changes for Sri Lanka as they bring in Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera and Jeffrey Vandersay while Akila Dananjaya, Lahiru Gamage and Suranga Lakmal have been left out. Pakistan have made one change, bringing in Faheem Ashraf in place of Junaid Khan.
Prelude
Forget the Lahore T20I and all the associated shenanigans just for a moment. Sri Lanka stand on the cusp of becoming the first team to suffer three 5-0 ODI whitewashes in a calendar year (South Africa and India have beaten them ) . That I'm sure you'll acknowledge, even if you've been living under the "contextual" rock, is bad. Wait let's capitalise that. BAD.
Sri Lanka must understand that they don't necessarily have to endure this sorry fate and it's potentially ramifications. As weird as it sounds, despite being 0-4 down , it's still in their hands.
The batsmen will and should be better than they have been. The fielding has to go up a notch and should these two units click in unison, there's a chance.
But will Pakistan oblige? Sarfraz and his boys have gone from strength to strength in the 50-over format since that famous London evening in June. Now they want more, especially against Sri Lanka who so emphatically yet surprisingly swept them away in the two Tests.
Welcome to the final ODI from Sharjah. Here's a little more detailed preview to get you started as we wait for the toss!