A second Twenty20 international 50 from Angelo Mathews helped Sri Lanka post a score of 145 in the first of two games against Pakistan in Dubai.

Pakistan decided to bowl after winning the toss and had their first wicket in the second over as Tillakaratne Dilshan cut Sohail Tanvir's delivery straight to Ahmed Shehzad at point.

Next to go was Sri Lanka's other opener Kusal Perera (15), before both Dinesh Chandimal (22) and Kumar Sangakkara (21) also failed to post imposing totals.

Number five Mathews took control of Sri Lanka's innings and reached exactly 50 off 34 balls before falling in the final over when he hit a Tanvir delivery to Sharjeel Khan in the deep.

Lahiru Thirimanne finished on 23 not out off 16 balls as the second-highest scoring Sri Lankan batsman.