Lankans need 261 to win

Pakistan posted 260 for five in 50 overs against Sri Lanka in the final match of the twelfth Asia Cup on Saturday. A timely ton from Fawad Alam (114*) helped Pakistan to put up the challenging total at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. Paceman Lasith Malinga shattered the Pakistan top order, sending the top three batsmen back to the dugout within the first five overs. Sharjeel Khan (8), hit two boundaries in Malinga’s first over but got carried away to pop up a catch to mid-on. The other opener, Ahmed Shehzad (5), was caught behind by Kumar Sangakkara off Malinga. Mohammad Hafeez (3), dropped seven balls before, followed a Malinga out-swinger to Sangakkara’s gloves, leaving Pakistan in trouble at 18 for three. A patient and watchful fourth wicket partnership, worth 122 runs, between Pakistani skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and Fawad helped Pakistan recover from their early collapse. Malinga struck again in the first over of his second spell, sending back Misbah (65) as he holed out at long-on snapping the joint-effort. Fawad, dropped on 41, charged on after his captain’s departure bringing up his maiden ODI hundred off 126 balls. His innings had eight boundaries and three sixes. Umar Akmal (59 off 42 balls) provided the team with the acceleration needed scoring a quick-fire fifty smashing seven boundaries. He paired with Fawad for 115-run fifth wicket partnership off just 78 deliveries. However, Akmal also fell to Malinga in the very last over. Malinga was the only bowler for Sri Lanka to inflict damage to Pakistan batsmen with a figure of five for 56 in 10 overs.