Wisden
1st ODI

Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 2012

Rex Clementine

At Pallekele, June 7, 2012 (day/night). Pakistan won by six wickets (D/L).
Toss: Sri Lanka.

Fans could hark back to the glory days of Pakistan cricket, when Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis were in their pomp, as Umar Gul and Mohammad Sami - two bowlers with different styles and methods - carved through Sri Lanka's top order. It was a good toss for Misbah-ul-Haq to lose: with the ball nipping and skidding around under cloudy skies, Pakistan did not concede a boundary until the 12th over - and only six in all. Three rain delays further upset Sri Lanka's rhythm, and they limped into the third stoppage on 107 for seven; when play resumed an hour and a half later, they were left with only five more overs. With 42 overs to equal Sri Lanka's total and win on Duckworth/ Lewis, Pakistan were kept on course, after two early wickets, by the steady Misbah, who freed up Umar Akmal to play his strokes.

Man of the Match: Umar Gul.

© John Wisden & Co.