Colombo, Jun 18 : Sri Lanka posted a pulsating two-wicket win over Pakistan in the fifth and final ODI to clinch the series 3-1.
One match was abandoned due to rain.Angelo Mathews was the star of the match scoring an unbeaten 80 runs.
Mathews hit two sixes and four boundaries to reach 80 off 76 balls. Sri Lanka achieved the 248-run target set by Pakistan with two balls to spare in the day-night match.
Sri Lanka needed 15 runs to win in the last over. As Pakistani paceman Mohammad Sami took the last over, Mathews hit a four off the fourth ball to seal the win. Dinesh Chandimal scored 54 runs for the home team in Colombo.
Earlier, Pakistani paceman Sohail Tanvir bagged three wickets and leg-spinner Shahid Afridi took two wickets to reduce Sri Lanka to 138-6. It was then that Mathews took over and he got good support from compatriot Jeevan Mendis who scored 19 and Nuwan Kulasekara to clinch the series.
Kumar Sangakkara made 40 runs. He and captain Mahela Jayawardene were removed off successive balls by Afridi. “It was a great game. The whole series was fantastic. We
had to dig deep at times and today was no different,” said Jayawardene.
Man of the match Mathews later said: “I haven't had the opportunity to bat since the first game, but I was ready. I am glad I did it today in front of an amazing crowd.”
