पाकिस्तान vs श्रीलंका, मैच 5 Commentary, Live Updates

No run, the batter has just blocked that from the crease.

No run, the batter has just watchfully blocked this out.

No run, this time the batter punches it off the front foot, but finds a fielder.

Back of a length, outside off, Fakhar Zaman leaves it away.

DROPPED! A very tough chance. Pitching it fuller, outside off stump with late outward movement. Sadaqat reaches out to drive on the up, mistiming it slightly to the left of cover. The fielder dives to his left and manages to get a hand to the aerial hit, but cannot hold on to the tough chance. The batters take a single to cap off a lucky escape.

FOUR! This time, Sadaqat connects it pretty well! This is a touch fuller, wide outside off. Maaz Sadaqat drills into the gap between cover and point for four runs.

Swing and a miss! On a length, outside off, swinging away. Maaz Sadaqat strides forward and tries to drill it away, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Not much movement through the air or off the seam in the first over. The left-arm quick, Dilshan Madushanka, will steam in from the other end. He has two slips in place.

Drags his length back, around off, Fakhar Zaman gets behind the line and dabs it down. Five dots and a boundary to start things off.

FOUR! Oh, that has been gloriously driven by Zaman! Full-length delivery, pitching it just outside off, nipping it away. Fakhar Zaman plants his front foot toward the delivery and drives it beautifully toward the right of the mid off fielder for four runs.

Pushes it fuller, yet again, does Fernando, around the pads of the batter. Fakhar Zaman clips it to mid-wicket.

Fuller in length, around off, Fakhar Zaman lunges forward and blocks it away to cover.

Pitches it fuller, on off, Fakhar Zaman defends it to cover.

Asitha Fernando scoots from over the wicket and pushes it away from the left-hander. Fakhar Zaman tries to defend it down, but it zips past the outside edge.

We are all set to get going on another warm afternoon in Lahore. It is a sparse crowd at the moment, but expect the stands to fill up later in the evening. A change up top for Pakistan, with Maaz Sadaqat opening alongside Fakhar Zaman. Asitha Fernando will start with the new ball for Sri Lanka. Fakhar will face the first ball. A slip in place. Off we go...

Sri Lanka (Unchanged XI) - Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (C/WK), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat (In for Saim Ayub), Babar Azam, Saad Baig (WK), Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi (C), Naseem Shah (In for Razaullah), Haris Rauf.

TOSS - It is time for the coin to go up in Lahore. Kusal Mendis calls it correctly, and Sri Lanka elect to BOWL first.

Lankans riding high - History also adds spice to this contest. The last time these teams met at the Gaddafi Stadium was back in 2009, when Sri Lanka won by a massive margin of 234 runs. Sri Lanka will no doubt walk out with plenty of confidence, having not only produced their highest successful run chase against England, but also it was the second-highest chase in the ODI history. So, which way are you leaning? Are you backing Pakistan’s momentum, or rooting for Sri Lanka’s revenge? Stay tuned for the toss and team news.

Rawalpindi rematch - These two sides have already met in this series, in the opener at Rawalpindi. If Pakistan’s last outing is any guide, the Lahore surface could offer plenty to the bowlers. That match against England was a comparatively low-scoring affair, with the track helping the bowlers and Shaheen Afridi picking up a four-wicket haul.

Greetings everyone - Hello, and a very warm welcome to all the cricket enthusiasts joining us for the build-up to today’s match. Pakistan and Sri Lanka meet in the fifth match of the tournament at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan have been flawless so far, winning all three of their games, and their one-wicket thriller against England on Sunday sealed their place in the final. That leaves one finalist spot still up for grabs, and if Sri Lanka win today, they will join the hosts in the title decider.

... MATCH DAY ...

Heading in with different intentions - Pakistan are all set to take on Sri Lanka in the 5th Match of the ODI tri-series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. With the hosts already in the final, and Sri Lanka needing just one win out of their two remaining matches to join them in the final, this could end up being dress rehearsal for the final. Pakistan will look to continue this rich vein of form they are in and keep their spotless record intact in this series. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will look to use that record-breaking chase against England as inspiration in a bid to beat the in-form and seal a place in the final as well. Pakistan in red-hot form - Not often do we use the term 'consistent' while talking about Pakistan in the cricketing world, but off late, in the ODI format, they are showing signs of consistency. Sure, there are still top order woes, but their middle order has come good on quite a few occasions now and the bowling line-up is shaping up nicely. In their last game against England, Shaheen Afridi led from the front, picking up 4 wickets as Arafat Minhas continued to impress with the ball as well. However, the real star of the show was Shadab Khan, who hit a magical ton batting at number 8 and took Pakistan from the jaws of defeat, to an unlikely win. Sri Lanka looking to cause an upset - Just days after chasing down an unfathomable score of 430 runs, the second highest ever in ODIs, the Lankans find themselves a win away from a final spot. The last time they played Pakistan, they suffered a huge defeat, but certainly the confidence will be high right now, and they will look to push the hosts all the way. Plenty of positive signs for Sri Lanka in terms of their batting with Avishka Fernando making a strong comeback to the side and Pavan Rathnayake turning into a big run-getter for them. Dasun Shanaka also continues to provide late muscle with the bat, but they still have top-order concerns. Also the bowling needs to improve as well if they are to have a chance of beating the hosts. Pitch and conditions - Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the contest as the tournament moves into its second phase. The surface could provide opportunities for stroke-making, making partnerships and the management of wickets important factors in determining the first-innings total. Batters who settle early may be able to score freely, but Pakistan's and Sri Lanka's bowlers will look to exploit any assistance available with the new ball. Spinners could become influential during the middle overs, particularly if they vary their pace and target the stumps. Form (Last 5 completed ODIs, recent first) - PAK - WWWWL | SL - WLLWL. Prediction time - Pakistan vs Sri Lanka promises to be an intriguing contest in the ODI Tri-Series. Pakistan will look to capitalise on home conditions and the depth of their batting and pace attack, while Sri Lanka will aim to respond with disciplined bowling and contributions throughout their batting order. Pakistan may have an advantage on home soil, but the result will depend on execution rather than reputation. The team that handles the Powerplay, builds the strongest middle-overs partnerships and finishes its innings effectively should put itself in a strong position. Who are you backing for the win?