The Pakel GSM Cup

At Karachi, October 6, 2004. Pakistan won by eight wickets. Pakistan 5 pts, Sri Lanka 1 pt. Toss: Sri Lanka.

An unbroken partnership of 200 from 224 balls between Shoaib Malik and Yousuf Youhana, a record for all wickets in one-day internationals at Karachi, ensured a comfortable win for Pakistan, as they became the first side to play 600 one-day internationals. Youhana scored his tenth oneday international hundred, passing 6,000 runs in the process. That landmark took him 168 innings, a rate bettered by only Saeed Anwar (162) for Pakistan. Both batsmen took advantage of an outfield that quickened up as the day went on following heavy rain in the week before the match. Several Sri Lankan batsmen got starts but a combination of disciplined mid-innings bowling by Pakistan and, in Jayasuriya's case, apparent fatigue caused by the high humidity, meant they did not push on. Jayasuriya, dropped by Inzamam at mid-wicket on 38, failed to regain his ground at the non-striker's end when the bowler Malik gathered a straight-drive from Atapattu.

Man of the Match: Shoaib Malik.