hisara Perera took a hat-trick as a staggering collapse from Pakistan handed Sri Lanka a comfortable 44-run win in the fourth One-Day International in Colombo.
Chasing 244 to win, Pakistan were 166 for two before they lost their remaining eight wickets for 33 runs, crumbling replying to Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara-inspired 243 for eight.
The left-hander made 97 and Mahela Jayawardene 40 to steer the Sri Lankans to a decent score as the two sides were greeted by good weather in Colombo.
Tillakaratne Dilshan (24) and Dinesh Chandimal (18) gave Sangakkara support and he fell three short of a century before a brace of wickets apiece from Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez pegged the home side back somewhat.
Sri Lanka struck early to remove Hafeez for nought – his fifth duck in the last six limited overs internationals – and then Asad Shafiq for 25 but half-centuries from Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq revived the innings.
Azhar made 81 not out in 126 balls and Misbah 57 in 77 balls before his dismissal precipitated their demise.
Aside from Ajmal, who made 12, the remaining batsmen fell for nought or one as seven wickets fell for 13 runs in less than four overs.
Thisara Perera did the bulk of the damage with four for 42, Lasith Malinga took two for 30 and there was one apiece for Nuwan Kulasekara, Angelo Mathews and Sajeewa Weerakoon.
Perera’s hat-trick came when he had Younus Khan caught behind, Shahid Afridi caught by Chandimal and Sarfraz Ahmed caught by Jayawardene in the 41st over.
Chasing 244 to win, Pakistan were 166 for two before they lost their remaining eight wickets for 33 runs, crumbling replying to Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara-inspired 243 for eight.
The left-hander made 97 and Mahela Jayawardene 40 to steer the Sri Lankans to a decent score as the two sides were greeted by good weather in Colombo.
Tillakaratne Dilshan (24) and Dinesh Chandimal (18) gave Sangakkara support and he fell three short of a century before a brace of wickets apiece from Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez pegged the home side back somewhat.
Sri Lanka struck early to remove Hafeez for nought – his fifth duck in the last six limited overs internationals – and then Asad Shafiq for 25 but half-centuries from Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq revived the innings.
Azhar made 81 not out in 126 balls and Misbah 57 in 77 balls before his dismissal precipitated their demise.
Aside from Ajmal, who made 12, the remaining batsmen fell for nought or one as seven wickets fell for 13 runs in less than four overs.
Thisara Perera did the bulk of the damage with four for 42, Lasith Malinga took two for 30 and there was one apiece for Nuwan Kulasekara, Angelo Mathews and Sajeewa Weerakoon.
Perera’s hat-trick came when he had Younus Khan caught behind, Shahid Afridi caught by Chandimal and Sarfraz Ahmed caught by Jayawardene in the 41st over.
