The Pakel GSM Cup

At Lahore, October 14, 2004 (day/night). Pakistan won by six wickets. Pakistan 5 pts, Sri Lanka 1 pt. Toss: Pakistan.

Pakistan geared up for the final with their highest-ever successful run-chase in a home one-day international, beating the 292 for seven they made against New Zealand at the same venue in November 2003. The pursuit was built around consistent batting, with the left-handed Salman Butt scoring his maiden international fifty, and Inzamam clobbering eight fours and a six from 59 balls. Sri Lanka were not helped by the onset of a heavy dew, which made gripping the ball tough, but they did themselves no favours by failing to take at least four chances. Shoaib Malik alone should have been stumped on 12 and run out on 23. Play continued at the start of the Pakistan innings even though one bank of floodlights went off for four overs. Sri Lanka's total was built around Atapattu's first one-day hundred as captain, an innings spanning 114 balls and including eight fours and two sixes. He added 146 in 159 balls with Sangakkara.

Man of the Match: M. S. Atapattu.