Pakistan thump Sri Lanka in fifth ODI

Abu Dhabi, Nov 24 (AFP): Skipper Misbah-ul Haq and Umar Akmal hit half centuries to help Pakistan upstage Sri Lanka by three wickets in the fifth and final day-night international at Abu Dhabi Stadium on Wednesday. Misbah hit an attractive 66 while Akmal finished on an unbeaten 61 to help Pakistan made light work of the Sri Lankan total of 218-9 as they reached home in 47.2 overs to take the five-match series 4-1. The victory, followed a 1-0 win in the three-Test series, lifted Pakistan to fifth in the International Cricket Council's one-day rankings. Misbah added 62 for the third wicket with Younis Khan (34) after Pakistan lost openers Mohammad Hafeez (14) and Asad Shafiq (26) in a shaky start. Even when leg-spinner Jeevan Mendis removed Younis and Shoaib Malik - both trapped leg-before - off successive deliveries, Misbah and Akmal made sure Pakistan finished on the winning side. Misbah, who hit five fours during his 99-ball knock, found an able ally in Akmal, who helped his skipper add 84 for the fifth wicket before the Pakistan skipper miscued a reverse sweep off Mendis, who finished with 3-36. Akmal, who hit eight boundaries during his fiery 60-ball knock, made sure Pakistan did not lose track by hitting the winning boudary. Earlier, Kumar Sangakkara scored 78 and Angelo Mathews made 61 during their innings-repairing fifth-wicket stand of 118 before Sri Lanka faltered, with only a late-order batting fightback helping them to a competitive total. Pakistan 219 for 7 (Misbah 66, Umar 61*, J Mendis 3-36) beat Sri Lanka 218 for 9 (Sangakkara 78, Mathews 61, Tanvir 4-34) by three wickets.