Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 66 runs at the P Sara Oval in Colombo to kick start their campaign in the World Test Championship.
Their biggest victory was during the toss however, as it played a crucial part in Sri Lankas win. The hosts batted first on a dry and grassless pitch. Mahela Jayawardene hit 86 and Sanath Jayasuriya 82, as Sri Lanka were all out for 334. Saqlain Mushtaq took 4 for 97 for Pakistan.
Pakistan should have had a reasonable lead as they were 305 for 5 and closing in on Sri Lankas first innings total. Lasith Malinga had other ideas however and in a blistering spell of fast bowling, took 3 for 9 in 23 balls. Pakistan were reduced to 332 all out, still 2 runs behind Sri Lanka. Zaheer Abbas top scored with a brilliant 103, while Malinga ended with 6-74.
The pitch was starting to deteriorate and Sri Lanka slumped to 67 for 4. Aravinda da Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga batted well for a partnership of 62 and Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 160. Saqlain Mushtaq and Imran Khan took 4 wickets each and gave Pakistan a target of 163 for victory.
The wicket was breaking up badly by this point and Malinga tore through the Pakistan batting order once again. He took 4 for 44 as the visitors were skittled out for 96. Muttiah Muralitharan supported with 4 for 20.
A huge win for Sri Lanka, who now head off to South Africa. Pakistan are at home next, taking on Australia.
Sri Lanka 1st Innings 334-10 (111.1 Ov)
DPMD Jayawardene 86, ST Jayasuriya 82, WPUJC Vaas 62, Saqlain Mushtaq 4-97, Wasim Akram 2-39, Waqar Younis 2-58
Pakistan 1st Innings 332-10 (126.5 Ov)
Zaheer Abbas 103, Mohammad Yousuf 70*, Younis Khan 60, SL Malinga 6-74, WPUJC Vaas 3-55
Sri Lanka 2nd Innings 160-10 (86 Ov)
KC Sangakkara 38, PA De Silva 31, A Ranatunga 29, Saqlain Mushtaq 4-31, Imran Khan 4-43
Pakistan 2nd Innings 96-10 (49 Ov)
Imtiaz Ahmed 27, M Muralitharan 4-20, SL Malinga 4-44, WPUJC Vaas 2-19
Sri Lanka win by 66 runs
Man of the Match: SL Malinga
Lasith Malinga blew a hole in Pakistans batting lineup twice, taking 10 wickets, to set up a huge victory for Sri Lanka
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