Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by Five Wickets at Sharjha- Level series 1-1

Pakistan's Azhar (left) celebrates his century - Misbah and Mathews share the trophy (right)

It was a great day for Pakistan as its cricket team chased a monumental target of 304 in 57.3 and won the third test match by five wickets at Sharjha on Monday. Pakistan's victory levelled the three test matches series 1-1, with one drawn test. Both teams shared the trophy for a levelled series.

Pakistan's run-rate of 5.25 was the second highest in a successful chase of a 200-plus target.  They defeated Australia in Karachi test in 1994 - chasing a target of 314 runs.

Pakistan's Azhar with 103 off 137 balls was instrumental in chasing the big target, followed by captain Misbah's unbeaten 68. 

Final scores: Pakistan 341 (Shehzad 147, Misbah 63, Herath 5-125, Eranga 4-60) and 302 for 5 (Azhar 103, Misbah 68*) beat Sri Lanka 428 for 9 dec (Perera 95, Mathews 91, Sangakkara 52) and 214 (Rehman 4-56)

Pakistan's batting side did witness an aggressiveness which carried the day for Pakistan - but fielding seemed pathetic as eight catches were dropped, aviodance of which could have had early win.

Pakistan's win win has proved that if captain has a positive and attacking attitude, he can snatch the victory from the mouth of defeat. It is a big lesson for Misbah himself, who, before this day always had a defensive frame of mind. Now he should change his game with this new adventure and play positively in ODI's where his approach is always negative and defensive.

Pakistan thus end its series with Sri Lanka on neutral venue with a happy ending. Well played Sri Lanka - congratulations Pakistan for providing entertaining cricket since December 2013.

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Pakistan humiliates Sri Lanka - win third ODI by 113 Runs

Hafeez (left)  celebrates his 8th ODI century - Umer Gul (right) came back rocking with three wickets

Sharjha was the venue yet again where Pakistan has beaten Sri Lanka in the first ODI just days back. But today was a different day as Pakistan humiliated the Islanders by beating them with huge margin of 113 runs.

It was Hafeez whose impressive century (140) and Shezad's 81 runs that gave Pakistan a tremendous edge when the batted first and gave a target of 327 to Sri Lanka to chase. Perera took 2/58.

Coming to bat, Umer Gul, who had been brought in to replace Sohail Tanvir, struck hard and sent back their two openers in succession. Thereafter the Pakistani bowlers did not let the Islanders stand to their feet and sent them all packing with 113 runs remaining. 

Umer Gul took 3/19, while Junaid, Hafeez and Ajmal took two wickets each - Afridi took one. Malinga was last to be bowled by Gul at 213. Umer Gul finished the match when he clean bowled Malinga at 19. See the video below:

For his impressive 141 runs, Hafeez was declared player of the match. Pakistan leads 5-ODI matches series 2-1.

Pakistan plays the fourth and decisive ODI against Sri Lanka at Dubai on 25th December.

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South Africa wins ODI series against Pakistan 4-1

De Villiers with the winning trophy

The last of the 5-ODI series match was held at famous Sharjha cricket stadium where Javed Miandad once scored a mighty six to bring unbelievable victory to Pakistan.

But those were other times and other players.

The present lot of Pakistani batsmen are a different breed - they talk too much and score too less. 

It was thought that Pakistan, having lost the series to the South Africans 3-1, will play for pride and display the last of their best - but it was not to be again. Chasing a target of 268, Pakistan was all out for 151 in just  35.3 Overs ( 4.25 RPO )- losing the match by 117 runs.

Pakistan's only resistance came from Sohaib Maqsood, who notched up a second, successive half-century with clean hitting and clear thinking. He demonstrated his strength off the back foot but exposed a slight weakness against the short ball, which South Africa will look to exploit in the return series later this month.

AB de Villiers was declared the Man of the Match for his match-winning knock of 115, who also became the became the fastest South African to 6000 ODI runs.

Ryan McLaren was the Man of the Series for his all-round effort. He scored 105 runs and took 9 wickets.

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