Jayasuriya blitz, Dilshan brilliance and bolwlers win series against Pakistan

Tillakaratne Dilshan blasted a career-best unbeaten 137 while Muttiah Muralitharan grabbed his 500th ODI wicket as Sri Lanka bulldozed Pakistan by 235 runs to win the three-match cricket series 2-1 here on Saturday.

Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka piled up 309 for five before unleashing their bowlers who skittled out Pakistan for a meagre 75 in just 22.5 overs to inflict on the hosts a humiliating defeat in the all-important series decider.

Despite having two hard-hitters in the middle, Sri Lanka initially found boundaries were not easy to come by but Jayasuriya finally broke free in the 15th over off Rao Iftikhar Anjum which yielded 25 runs.

The first ball disappeared over long-on for a massive six, followed by back-to-back fours, five wide and another boundary as well.

The fifty that seemed up for grab eventually eluded Jayasuriya who miscued Gul to perish after a 50-ball 45.

Lankan pacer Nuwan Kulasekara (3-17) and Thilan Tushara (3-33) mowed down the Pakistani top order before Muttiah Muralitharan (2-2) and Ajantha Mendis (1-12) completed the rout.

Muralitharan castled Sohail Khan (4) for his 500th ODI scalp which also dropped curtains on Pakistan's innings.

Muralitharan, already highest wicket-taker in Test cricket with 769 scalps against his name, needs three more wickets to overtake Wasim Akram (502) to top the ODI charts as well.

Jayasuriya can do the trick | Sri Lanka vs Pak Final ODI

With more than 12,000 ODI runs and 300 wickets, Sanath Jayasuriya is one of the legends of limited overs cricket.

The powerfully built left-hander is on song and there is little any bowler in the world can do to stop him. No matter how big a ground is, Jayasuriya has the ability to clear any boundary in the world.

Pakistan has a fair idea of Sanath Jayasuriya's pyrotechnics as the southpaw has more than 2,000 one day runs against them and they were on the receiving end once again on Tuesday when he thumped his way to 38 off only 35 balls before Umar Gul dismissed him.

The failure of Jayasuriya to convert his brisk start into something substantial was one of the factors Sri Lanka couldn't post a big total on the board.

By his whirlwind knock, Jayasuriya has given enough indications that he is in form and Shoaib Akhtar and co will have to bowl well in final game to restrict him.

Undoubtedly Jayasuriya is vital cog in Sri Lankan batting line and the visitors will be hoping that he gets more runs in the final game which will give them a big fillip.

Apart from his flamboyant batting, Jayasuriya is also a more than capable left arm spinner and it was strange to see that he wasn't used much in the first game.

He has good record against Pakistan with a best of 5-17 and is expected to bowl more today and later in the series as well.

Sanath is still a complete package in one day cricket despite his growing age and will be one player Pakistan will have to look out for.

Sri Lankans would definitely be hoping that Sanath fires in his trademark fashion.