Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st ODI : Pakistan Tame The Lankan Lions

PAK WON BY 6 WICKETS (D/L)

Man Of The Match- UMAR GUL

SL-135/8 (42)

Thirimanne-42*

Sami-3/19

Gul-3/24

PAK-135/4 (34.1)

Hafeez-37

U.Akmal-36*

Misbah-30

The 1st ODI between Sri Lanka and Pakistan proved to a pretty one sided encounter in the end as the visitors Pakistan put up a clinical show to beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets (D/L method) in a rain affected game. Sri Lanka were batting first on a lively pitch which provided assistance to the pacers. Sri Lanka were rocked early by Umar Gul as they lost their experienced trio of Dilshan, Jayawardene and Sangakkara quickly. Chandimal and Mathews too could not do much as both of them fell without adding a run to the Sri Lankan total. Sri Lanka were tottering at 81/7 and even 100 was looking a difficult total to reach. But Thirimanne and Kulasekara put on a partnership of some relevance to take the score past 100. Sri Lanka were 107/7 in 37 overs when rain came down again and play was halted. The game was then reduced to a 42 over a side encounter and Sri Lanka were able to reach 135/8 thanks to a steady knock of 42 not out from 73 balls by Lahiru Thirimanne. Umar Gul and Md. Sami were the pick of the bowlers as far as Pakistan were concerned as both picked up 3 wickets each. Hafeez took 2/20.

The target for Pakistan was 135 according to the D/L method in 42 overs and Sri Lanka really had to do something special to win the game. Lasith Malinga drew first blood as he dismissed  Azhar Ali caught behind the wicket for 3. Younis Khan too did not last long and fell for a mere 5 to Kulasekara. Md. Hafeez and Misbah ul Haq then steadied the ship for Pakistan and got them past 50. Hafeez was playing his shots whereas Misbah was looking a bit cautious. Just when Hafeez was looking well set, he was trapped in front for 37 by Rangana Herath. Pakistan were 78/3 in 20 overs and the game was all but done for Sri Lanka. Umar Akmal was looking in a mood of total destruction as he played shots all around the park and scored 36 runs in 48 balls to take Pakistan home. Misbah ul Haq too supported him well and scored 30 in 79 deliveries. Pakistan reached the score in 34.1 overs and sealed a comfortable victory. Pakistan now have a crucial 1-0 lead in the series and Sri Lanka need to pull up their socks in the next game on  Saturday here at Pallekele.