Sohaib Maqsood has guided Pakistan to a four-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their first one-day international at Hambantota this afternoon.
Sri Lanka were put in to bat first by their opponents and made a shaky start to their innings, with Tillakaratne Dilshan [six], Upal Tharanga [18] and Dinesh Chandimal [six] all going cheaply as the hosts slipped to 75-4.
However, a 116-run partnership between Mahela Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews steadied the ship for the hosts, helping the Lions to 191 before Jayawardene was run out for 63.
Mathews went on to score 89 before he was bowled by Wahab Riaz, who was Pakistan's best bowler with 3-50.
The tourists made a solid start to their reply, chasing 276 for victory, but Mohammed Hafeez was bowled by Thisara Perera for 21, leaving his team 39-1.
Perera and Mathews ensured that no Pakistan batsman got comfortable at the crease until Maqsood [89 not out] came in at number seven, quickly hitting a half-century to leave the team needing just 37 runs for victory off the final 10 overs.
Fawad Alam also passed the 50 mark as the tourists raced towards their target, but was bowled by Lasith Malinga for 62.
However, Maqsood and Shahid Afridi had enough to see the visitors past their target with over five overs to spare as they defeated Sri Lanka by four wickets.
