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Karachi: A country starved of international cricket for over six months celebrated with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka to take a 1-0 lead in the series, thanks to the efforts of Salman Butt and Khurram Manzoor, who made light work of a target of 220. Pakistan took full advantage of a jaded Sri Lankan side still circumspect with their form after struggling against weak sides in the recent months.
Salman Butt and Khurram Manzoor provided what Pakistan have usually lacked in recent years, a solid opening partnership. The much vaunted Murali-Mendis combo didn't quite fire today, and Sri Lanka's attack looked like it needed some firepower with the new ball.
Pakistan's new-ball bowlers, Shoaib Akhtar and Sohail Tanvir, didn't have the best of games but Umar Gul and Rao Iftikhar provided the timely breakthroughs to peg Sri Lanka back. The visitors need to sort out their batting troubles as they managed to fritter a fantastic start from Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sanath Jayasuriya.
The 28-year-old medium pacer Iftikhar removed top-scorer Kumar Sangakkara (49), skipper Mahela Jayawardene (1) and Thilan Thushara (0) to derail the visitors who had a solid start of 71 after winning the toss and opting to bat.
Iftikhar came as first change in a four-pronged pace attack and build on to an aggressive first spell by pace partner Umar Gul, who removed openers Tillakaratne Dilshan (42) and Sanath Jayasuriya (38) to put brakes on the tourists' march.
Dilshan, included in the team after his twin hundreds in a Test against Bangladesh earlier this month, was dropped at 17 off pacer Shoaib Akhtar who went wicketless in his seven overs.
Sangakkara held the innings through a 54-run fourth wicket stand with Chamara Kapugedera who made 27. Sangakkara hit four boundaries during his 70-ball knock.
Sangakkara missed his half-century by one run when he played a rising delivery from Iftikhar straight into the hands of Butt at gully. Iftikhar's previous best was 4/59 against the West Indies at Abu Dhabi last year.
Nuwan Kulasekara chipped in with a useful 24 before Gul had him caught behind to finish with 3-30.
Brief Score: Pakistan 220 for 2 (Butt 100*, Manzoor 83, 45.5 ov) beat Sri Lanka 219 (Sangakkara 49, Anjum 4-42, Gul 3-30) by eight wickets.
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