Pakistan won the first ODI against hosts Sri Lanka by six wickets at Pallekele, Sri Lanka Thursday despite the match being hit by rains.
electing to bat, the hosts gave a target of 136 to the visiting Pakistani team. A 24 for three wickets by Umar Gul and 19 for three wicket by Muhammad Sami restricted the hosts to mere 135 for eight. From Sri Lanka side, Thirimanne's 42 helped his side to reach a score of 135.
Pakistan when came to bat, lost its opener Azhar for just 3. But Younas came in to steady the loss. Misbah and Hafeez added a 51 run partnership, followed by another partnership with Umar Akmal of 55 runs. However Misbah was run out when Pakistan was just short of three runs from victory. It was Shahid Afridi who came to score the winning shot to seal victory for Pakistan.
But the day belonged to Misbah, Hafeez and Akmal besides bowlers Gul and Sami.
The second one-dayer will be played in Pallekele on Saturday while the last three matches will be played at Colombo on June 13, 16 and 18.
