Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 5th ODI at Colombo, , Jun 18 2012 - Match Result

Mahela goes off to collect the trophy. With Sri Lanka jubilant, and Pakistan disappointed, we take your leave, hoping for an equally tight Test series. Cheers

"It was a great game," says Mahela Jayawardene. "The whole series was fantastic. We had to dig deep at times, and today was no different. Big call to play Mendis today. Bowled beautifully, fielded magnificently, we knew he could bat too. We just need to focus on little things like we did in the one-dayers."

Thisara Perera is the man of the Series

"The way Mathews played he took the game away from us," says Misbah-ul-Haq. "We were 15-20 short. They bowled well at the end. Again, the fielding let us down. They really gave us tough time, especially Angelo. Mendis played very well too. We have to forget this and improve our performance in the Tests."

Finally we have identified the Man of the Match. Step forward Angelo Mathews. He says, "I haven't had the opportunity to bat since the first game, but I was ready. I am glad I did it today in front of an amazing crowd."

Tony Greig presides over the presentation. This is a long process, is the presentation. He should be paid a bonus for this

Oh the crowd is all over the field. That's from the good old days. And like the good old days, both the sides have been slow with their overs. I am expecting hefty fines. I think the crowd invasion has delayed the presentation

Welcome back. What a thriller this has been. And what difference calmness and mental strength make in this game. Sri Lanka were stronger, they believed they would win if they saw this match through to its end. On the other hand, Pakistan panicked the other day, and didn't even take it to the end. Man of the moment is Angelo Mathews. He likes to take matches into the last over. Sometime he loses out, sometimes he wins, but you can rest assured he keeps them alive. You can like him, you can dislike him, but he backs himself to do it. Tonight he was the last man standing

Sri Lanka's narrowest win over Pakistan. Shows how the balance of mental strength is shifting. It's been four minutes since they won, but you can't wipe that smile off Mathews's face. Mahela and Sanga rush onto the field too. Hugs all around. Sri Lankan flags all around. Misbah and Pakistan are crestfallen: two catches dropped, numerous run-outs missed, numerous misfields, 22 extras. Spare a thought for Sami: should have had Sanga when he was bowling a good first spell, brought them back with a catch and a run-out, but ends up with the most expensive figures by a Pakistani in Sri Lanka. Osman Samiudding summed it up last week in The National: "If Pakistanis were Greeks, they would have already written a tragedy based on the life and times of Mohammad Sami."

Another conference. Hafeez and Tanvir join Misbah and Sami

Twelve off five now. Still between Sami and Mathews

Sami v Mathews. I had a feeling it would come down to this. Sami will not bowl many slower bowls here. Either full and straight, or fast bouncers

Top over from Tanvir, even though Mathews retains strike

Tanvir to bowl the 49th over. Close matches are usually won and lost in penultimate overs. And Pakistan have a good man to bowl it. Tanvir to bowl round the stumps

Nine off the over so far

Misbah pats Sami's back

Third man is up

Last three overs now. Is Mathews iron man or nearly man? He has shown shades of both in the past. What has Sami got for us? He'll love a wicket to silence his detractors

Kulasekara is not a bad No. 10. Here he is. Field edges closer

Round the wicket