Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan, 5th ODI: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info, Preview

Sri Lanka will be looking to restore some pride against Pakistan on Sunday when the sides meet in the fifth and final one-day international in Hambantota, Sri Lanka.

The visitors took an unassailable 3-1 series lead on Wednesday thanks to a comfortable seven-wicket win in Colombo.

It's been a solid all-round effort from Azhar Ali's improving side. Sri Lanka, minus Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, have flattered to deceive with the bat and been toothless with the ball.

Let's take a closer look at Sunday's contest.

Venue: Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota, Sri Lanka

Date: Sunday, 26 July

Start time: 2:30 p.m. local time/10 a.m. BST

Live on: Ten Cricket and PTV Sports (Pakistan), Rupavahini Corporation (Sri Lanka), Zee Cinema (UK—subscription required)

Weather: There should be no problems with the conditions on Sunday. According to Accuweather, it will be largely dry and sunny with temperatures reaching 32C.

Overview

After dominating the Test series, Pakistan have repeated the trick in the ODIs. Solid top-order batting has been the bedrock of the visitors' success this series.

In the four matches to date, openers Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad have put on stands of 47, 59, 93 and 75 for the first wicket. The middle order has capitalised on that platform and put in a series of impressive totals.

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RT: Highest 1st wicket average Partnership in 0DI's in 2015. #PAKvSL #SLvPAK #PakvsSL #Cricket pic.twitter.com/SCfDWGxMtP

— Ramiz Raja (@RealRamizRaja) July 23, 2015"

With a century and two 50s to his name, Mohammad Hafeez has been the Pakistani anchor. Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Rizwan have added the power at the business end of the innings. It's no surprise that the four leading run-scorers in the series are all wearing green.

Likewise the bowling, which has been a real joint enterprise. Five Pakistani bowlers have four or more wickets during the series.

ISHARA S.KODIKARA/Getty Images

Look for Mohammad Irfan and Rahat Ali to make early inroads in Hambantota with leg-spinner Yasir Shah chipping away during the middle overs.

With in-form batsmen and wicket-taking pace and spin bowlers, Pakistan are a rapidly improving outfit.

Sri Lanka, who are desperately missing the steadying presence of Sangakkara and Jayawardene, look just the opposite.

Too many batsmen have got starts this series without going on to make a serious contribution. Consider that in the last ODI, every batsman from two to eight reached double figures, but Sri Lanka could muster only 256 for nine from their 50 overs.

The bowling has been equally shabby. Only Lasith Malinga has taken four wickets during the series and those scalps came at an eye-popping average of 61.50.

Unable to find breakthroughs with the new ball, Angelo Mathews' side have been chasing the game throughout the series.

Early wickets will be the key if the hosts are to salvage anything from what's been a hugely disappointing series.

Key Players

Sri Lanka

It's been a case of what might have been for Sri Lanka's inconsistent batsmen this series. With scores of 56 and 90 in his last two innings, Lahiru Thirimanne looks the man most likely to deliver a match-winning knock at Hambantota.

What Sri Lanka need most of all is some firepower from their bowlers. Much will again rest on the shoulders of Lasith Malinga.

Pakistan

Having big hitters capable of clearing the rope at the close of an innings is a crucial ingredient for one-day success. In Shoaib Malik, Pakistan have one such player.

The 33-year-old has scores of 55 not out, 51, 42 not out and 29 not out this series. Those scores have included 11 fours and nine sixes and come at a strike rate of 125.53.

Expect more fireworks from the in-form Shoaib on Sunday.

Team News

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Milinda Siriwardana, Ashan Priyanjan, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Sachithra Senanayake, Seekkuge Prasanna, Sachith Pathirana.

 
Pakistan: Azhar Ali (capt), Mukhtar Ahmed, Ahmed Shezhad, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Ehsan Adil, Rahat Ali.

Statistics courtesy of ESPN Cricinfo