Legends of Sports

Umar Akmal's unbeaten 36 off 48 balls helped Pakistan maintain a six-wicket victory in the rain-affected first ODI against Sri Lanka at Pallekele. Pakistan reached their D/L target of 135 with 47 balls to spare, coming after Mohammad Hafeez had made a more sedate 37 off 57 deliveries and Misbah-ul-Haq 30 off 79.

After they had restricted Sri Lanka to 135 for eight in 42 overs, Pakistan got off to a upsetting start as the early losses of Azhar Ali (three) and Younus Khan (five) had them on 27 for two.But Hafeez and Misbah restored order and, once the runs began to flow, there was little doubt that they would reach their target as long as the weather held off.

The top four all went for single figures, with Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Dinesh Chandimal all weakening to make an impact and leaving their side tottering on 56 for six. Lahiru Thirimanne made 42 to stem the tide, but maintain was in short supply. Mohammad Sami took three for 19 and Umar Gul three for 24 for Pakistan.