Perera sparks dramatic collapse by Pakistan

Six Pakistan batsmen made ducks as Perera almost single-handedly won the match for the hosts in a single over – during which he claimed his hat-trick before running out Sohail Tanvir.

After Kumar Sangakkara fell three runs short of a 14th ODI century in anchoring the hosts’ 243-8, Pakistan looked set to reel in the target as they reached 166-2 in reply.

But the tourists’ batsmen simply folded thereafter, at one stage losing seven wickets for 13 runs, to be bowled out for 199 with five overs unused.

Perera, fresh from his career-best 6-44 in the second match of the series, turned matters irretrievably his side’s way when he removed Younus Khan, Shahid Afridi and then Sarfraz Ahmed, caught by Mahela Jayawardene at slip, from consecutive balls of a quite magical 41st over.

The 23-year-old was not done there, though, as he acrobatically ran out Tanvir two balls later before ending the match by removing last man Saeed Ajmal to finish with 4-42.

It was the 15th time in 18 chases above 240 that Pakistan have come up short and left them 2-1 down in the series with a game to play.

Rain had washed out Wednesday’s third game in Colombo and it threatened to interfere again as the players were forced off for an hour with Sri Lanka 91-3 in the 26th over.

When the players returned Pakistan were made to pay after Umar Gul spilled a simple chance off Sangakkara, then on 35, who lofted Shahid Afridi straight at him. The left-hander cashed in on the life, and after reaching his 71st ODI half-century from 99 balls, he upped his rate in a crucial 110-run stand with Jayawardene.

Their partnership was broken when Jayawardene (40) was bowled by Tanvir and an over later, Sangakkara was caught in the deep going for his century.

The wicketkeeper-batsman had struck seven fours and three sixes in his 130-ball stay but his exit denied Sri Lanka from any significant late hitting.

That looked like it might be costly but Pakistan, despite openers Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq hitting 81 not out and 53, respectively, collapsed in dramatic fashion.