Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan 1st ODI: Winners and Losers

Pakistan took a comfortable victory over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, winning by six wickets with 28 balls remaining.

It was a strong effort from the visitors, who have the advantage after bowling well to restrict the home side to 255 for eight and then knocking off the runs easily.

Within their overall impressive performance—and Sri Lanka’s less-than-satisfactory one—there were individuals who shone and others who did not.

Let’s take a look at some winners and losers from the game.

Winner: Mohammad Hafeez

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On a difficult pitch for batting, Mohammad Hafeez shone with both bat and ball in Pakistan’s victory.

First, Hafeez took four for 41 with his off-spin, then he made 103 from 95 balls to help his side take what was a comfortable win in the end.

Loser: Lasith Malinga

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Lasith Malinga is usually highly effective with the ball as his slingy action makes life difficult for batsmen, but it was not to be in this game.

Malinga conceded 56 runs in eight wicketless overs as Sri Lanka failed to restrict their opponents and went down to a convincing loss.

Winner: Dinesh Chandimal

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One Sri Lankan to shine with the bat was Dinesh Chandimal at six, as he top scored with an unbeaten 65 from 68 balls.

At one stage, it looked unlikely that the hosts would post anything like a competitive total, and while it was still below par, it owed much to Chandimal’s intervention.

Loser: Seekkuge Prasanna

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Another Sri Lanka bowler to suffer was Seekkuge Prasanna, who conceded 72 in nine overs without taking a wicket at an economy rate of eight runs an over.

He could not stop the bleeding, especially when Hafeez was going well, and was punished as Pakistan’s batsmen cantered home.

Winner: Shoaib Malik

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In support of Hafeez, Shoaib Malik did well as he stroked an unbeaten 55 from 45 balls and was at the crease when Pakistan were victorious.

Malik used all his experience to profit on a difficult pitch and was an invaluable help to his team at five in the batting order.

Loser: Tillakaratne Dilshan

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At the top of Sri Lanka’s order, Tillakaratne Dilshan is usually very aggressive and able to get his side off to a flying start, but not today.

He made a battling 38 from 65 balls with just two boundary fours as he tried to help his side build a platform, but he could not quite break the shackles placed on him.