Following Story was posted prior to the beginning of 4th ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Sharjah on October 20, 2017.
Though Sri Lanka has already lost the five-match ODI series against Pakistan following three consecutive defeats at Dubai and Abu Dhabi but next venue Sharjah hasn’t been merciful either for Islanders.
It’s been 15 years since Sri Lanka beat Pakistan last time at Sharjah Cricket Stadium where the fourth ODI will take place on Friday. In Sharjah, Pakistan secured triumph against Sri Lanka in last five One Day Internationals.
In the third ODI played at Abu Dhabi on October 18, two more milestones were registered in the record book from Pakistan as Imam-ul-Haq scored a Century, joining Saleem Elahi to score 100 runs on ODI debut as only the second Pakistani batsman to do so.
While 23-year-old Hasan Ali became the quickest Pakistan bowler to take 50 wickets in ODIs. He reached the milestone in his 24th ODI in which he also grabbed a five-wicket haul for third time.
However a bad news also accompanied the good news as Muhammad Hafeez was once again reported for a suspect bowling action in third ODI against Sri Lanka. It was the third time since 2014 that Hafeez’s action came under radar. But he will be available for next both ODIs.
Reportedly, Hasan Ali has now become the number one bowler in ICC ODI rankings while Muhammad Hafeez is now the number one all-rounder as per new rankings.
Pakistan will mostly likely to go in fourth ODI with an unchanged side but Sri Lanka may recall Kusal Mendis as his replacement Chamara Kapugedera suffered an injury in third ODI.
Pakistan has already won the ODI series with two matches yet to be played on October 20 and 23 in Sharjah respectively.
The ODI series will be followed by three T20 Internationals from October 26-29.
