Pakistan have taken a 1-0 lead in their five-match one-day international series against Sri Lanka with victory in the UAE this evening.
Dav Whatmore's side set a target of 323, thanks in part to a century from Mohammad Hafeez, after winning the toss and electing to bat.
© Getty Images
The chase got off to a decent start, with Tillakaratne Dilshan (30) and Kushal Perera putting on 66 before the former was caught by Hafeez off the bowling of Junaid Khan.
Perera (64) was the next to go, trapped lbw by Hafeez after recording his second one-day half-century, leaving Sri Lanka 113-2.
Kumar Sangakkara made 23 from 33 balls before edging Shahid Afridi behind for Umar Akmal, while Lahiru Thirimanne (10) only lasted 16 balls as he too fell prey to the spinner, this time with Sohaib Maqsood taking the catch.
At 141-4, Sri Lanka were wobbling, but Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews restored hope with a 73-run partnership.
However, three quick dismissals once again threatened to leave their innings in tatters, as first Saeed Ajmal ran out Chandimal (46), before Mathews (31) was caught by Sohail Tanvir off to give Khan his second wicket.
Bilawal Bhatti then removed Thisara Perera for six.
Just as the game was slipping out of reach, Seekkuge Prasanna and Sachithra Senanayake blasted 87 runs to leave them 14 behind with two overs remaining.
It was not to be, as Senanayake (46) was caught going big off Tanvir, and Lasith Malinga (0) was run out by Bhatti without facing a single ball.
Suranga Lakmal (1) was the last man left standing as Prasanna (42) became Khan's third victim, leaving them 11 runs short.
Michael Penkman
