Pakistan squashes the visitor as the host continue their undefeated streaks of seven match. Debutant Batsmen Imam-ul-Haq became the only third youngest player to score a century on his one-day international debut and Hasan Ali clutch 5-34 as Pakistan hammered Sri Lanka by seven wickets to secure a series victory on Wednesday. Pakistan took an indisputable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, with Sri Lanka’s losing streak in ODIs now stretching to 10 matches worst in the past three decades. The 21-year-old Imam is the nephew of Inzamam-ul-Haq, the former captain, and Pakistan’s current chief selector. He hit 100 off 125 balls with two sixes and five fours to help Pakistan cruise to 209-3 in 42.3 overs.
Sri Lanka captain Upul Tharanga was the top-scorer of 61 after winning the toss and opting to bat first, but his team’s batting woes in the series continued before it was finally dismissed for 208 in 48.2 overs. Tharanga and Niroshan Dickwella (18) had provided a solid opening stand of 59 off 65 balls before Hasan clean bowled Dickwella. Dinesh Chandimal struggled for 49 balls to score just 19 runs on the board before Sri Lanka collapsed midway through its innings as Pakistan’s spinners, Shadab Khan (2-37) and Mohammad Hafeez, tied the batsmen down. Ali became the quickest Pakistani bowler to complete 50 wickets in ODIs, claiming the feat in 24 matches, three fewer than the previous record set by Waqar Younis.
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