Following Story was posted prior to the beginning of 5th ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Sharjah on October 23, 2017.
Since ICC Champion Trophy 2017, Pakistan’s winning streak continues unabated as following a 124-run loss to India on June 4, green shirts have clinched eight consecutive victories in 50-over format.
It’s has been Pakistan’s second longest winning streak in One Day Internationals (ODIs) against top teams while the first occurred in 1990 when Pakistan won 10 consecutive ODIs.
Considering Pakistan’s well built-up momentum, it won’t be surprising if the Host completes a whitewash against struggling Sri Lanka by winning the fifth ODI in Sharjah on Monday.
Not only the arrival of young legs in the team such as Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan and Fakhar Zaman is being credited with the success but Sarfraz Ahmed’s Captaincy is also of no less significance.
Sarfraz Ahmed assumed the responsibility as Pakistan’s ODI Captain in February 2017, and since then his record as the skipper has been extremely prolific. Under his Captaincy, Pakistan engaged in 13 ODI battles and in which it emerged victorious 11 times. But most importantly, bagging the title of ICC Champion Trophy would always remain Sarfraz Ahmed’s unequivocal achievement.
But in Contrast, Upul Tharanga’s Captaincy has yet to yield worth admiring results for Sri Lanka. Under his Captaincy, Sri Lanka had to suffer defeat in 15 ODIs whereas tasted victory in 4.
The last defeat against Pakistan in 4th ODI in Sharjah was Sri Lanka’s 11 consecutive defeat facing various Sides.
In bilateral comparison, Pakistan and Sri Lanka met 10 times in ODIs, out of which the former sealed triumph eight times.
If Pakistan succeeds to win the fifth and last ODI as well against Sir Lanka on Monday, it will be the sixth time when Pakistan will complete a whitewash in a five-match ODI series.
