Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 1st ODI - 5 Talking Points

It has been all good news for Pakistan until the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka, where the men in green got a much-needed reality check. Much needed because, they have understood there’s no time to rest on their laurels, and Sarfraz Ahmed’s team has made a great comeback in the limited overs format. Pakistan defeated the Lions by a margin of 83 runs, to take a 1-0 lead in the ODI series.

Winning the toss, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first. Tharanga’s team had a dream start as opener Ahmed Shehzad was back into the dressing room without opening his account. But Babar Azam had different plans, and went on to sculpt his sixth ODI ton. While Babar was the showstopper, credit must be given to Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hafeez for taking charge at the other end. Veteran Shoaib Malik finished off the innings on a high, as Pakistan managed to accumulate 292 runs, something which was too big a task for the Lankan batting lineup. Let us have a look at the 5 talking points of the game:

1. Babar Azam’s crucial century

Initially compared with the current greats of the game like Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, Babar lost his string foothold and opened the floodgates for never-ending trolls. But he has answered them, and answered in quite a fashionable manner, by offering a stunning century.

Losing the crucial wicket of Shehzad early, Pakistan wanted someone to stay at the crease and build the innings. Babar knew it was his opportunity to shine, and a player of his calibre won’t let opportunities slip out of hand multiple times. What followed was a beautifully carved out match-winning knock of 103 runs. While Malik was on fire at the other end, Babar made sure he didn’t lose his wicket and took the venom out of Lankan bowling.

2. Shoaib Malik’s quick-fire 81

If Babar deserves the credit for setting up a rock solid foundation, this vastly experienced campaigner must be credited for the mountain of runs built by Pakistan. One might say that Pakistan’s innings was fairly settled by the time Malik was called to do his job but hadn’t he punished the Lankan bowlers, reaching a total of 292 runs wouldn’t have been possible.

Malik’s innings of 81 runs from just 61 deliveries was filled with 5 glamorous boundaries and two over the rope hits. Having a trusted partner like Babar Azam at the other end, Malik had the license to go for the shots, which he did with absolute perfection. This 35-year-old can very well be a testament to the popular saying that age is just a number.

3. Rumman Raees rattles Sri Lankan innings

Chasing a big target here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, Sri Lanka wanted a good start, which they never could actually get because of this man, Rumman Raees. Raees provided the first breakthrough to Pakistan, in the form of Niroshan Dickwella, the Lankan wicketkeeper who was looking dangerous. Then he went on to make one of the most trusted Lankan batters, Dinesh Chandimal his second victim.

At 34/2, the game was already half-won by Pakistan. It was Lahiru Thirimanne who wasn’t ready to give the other half to the home side and battled his way to a half-century. But that matter was duly taken again care of by Rumman again. Lahiru’s dismissal meant that the game was a mere formality now, and Rumman’s spell of 3/49 in 9 overs can be termed as a ‘Raees’ spell indeed.

4. Hasan Ali completes the formalities

While Rumman had already sent the top 3 of the Lankan batting lineup back to the pavilion, it was necessary from Pakistan’s point of view to keep picking up wickets. What Hasan was to Rumman can be understood by the reference of what Malik was to Babar earlier in the day.

After picking up two wickets in two consecutive balls, in the form of Kusal Mendis and Milinda Siriwardana, he turned his attention to Jeffrey Vandersay, the tail-ender who offered resilience. His spell of 3/36 meant that Sri Lanka can look for a victory but only in the next game.

5. Akila Dananjaya’s ‘one-man show’

While Pakistan might have dominated the game and annihilated their opposition, there is one lion who stood out from the pack that was roasted. Akila Dananjaya’s unbeaten 50 might not hold much significance in the result of the game, but at a stage when Lankan were down to 132/7, had it not been this 24-year-old spinner who came out with a reply, Sri Lanka would have found more humiliation waiting for them.

An all out for the Lankan boys were written clearly on the walls with capital letters, but Dananjaya decided otherwise. The offie coupled firstly with Thirimanne and then with Vandersay to prevent an all out. A half-century from a No. 8 batter, that too against a fiery Pakistani bowling lineup wasn’t on the cards for sure. He made sure that the away side crosses the 200-run mark and restores some reputation at least.