Thirimanne ton lifts Sri Lanka to 296-6 against Pakistan

FATULLAH: Sri Lanka set a difficult target of 297 for Pakistan in the opening match of the 12th Asia Cup here at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium on Tuesday.

Winning the toss, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews decided to bat on an easy wicket but they lost Kusal Perera (14) to seamer Umar Gul at the score of 28.

However, opener Lahiro Thirimanne and veteran batsman Kumar Sangakkara helped Sri Lanka to take control of the game as both added 161 runs for the second wicket partnership in 24.2 overs before Sangakkara was dismissed by Umar Gul.

Sangakkara scored 67 (his 84th half-century in ODI cricket) off 65 balls with eight fours.

Later, Pakistani spinners dominated the scene as off-spinner Saeed Ajmal bowled Thirimanne just after he completed his second ODI hundred. He made 102 from 110 balls with eleven boundaries and a six.

Then leg-spinner Shahid Afridi struck twice, dismissing Mahela Jayawardene for 13 and Thisara Perera for six before debutant Chaturanga de Silva was run out for two and Sri Lanka were 251 for six in the 44th over.

However, an aggressive batting display by Mathews took Sri Lanka to a good total of 296 in the 50 overs. The skipper remained not out scoring a breezy 55 off 50 balls with five fours and a six.

For Pakistan, Gul and Afridi claimed two wickets each, and Ajmal took one wicket.