Sri Lanka make 242-9 against Pakistan

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar celebrated his return to international cricket with three wickets to help Pakistan restrict Sri Lanka to 242-9 in the opening Asia Cup match.

Allrounder Anjelo Mathews made an unbeaten 55 under pressure and with former captain Mahela Jayawardene, who hit 54, gave Sri Lanka a competitive total on a slow pitch.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara’s decision from the toss to bat first in the day-night encounter at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium paid off when his openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga got off to a promising start.

Akhtar, playing his first match for Pakistan in 13 months after injuries, intervened when the hosts were 31-0 by inducing Tharanga (11) to be caught in the slips by Salman Butt in the sixth over.

Later, Akhtar took the wickets of Chamara Kapugedera (2) and Farveez Maharoof (1) to finish with 3-41.

Sri Lanka slipped to 36-2 when debutant Umar Amin held a brilliant diving catch to dismiss Dilshan (18) off Mohammad Asif.

Sangakkara and Jayawardene salvaged the innings with a sensible 83-run partnership for the third wicket off 103 balls.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi dismissed his counterpart for 42 with a catch at mid-on by Umar Akmal. Sangakkara lasted 63 balls and hit four boundaries.

Jayawardene was given out lbw by West Indies umpire Billy Doctrove but television replays showed the ball hit the bat before hitting his leg. His 53rd limited-overs half-century including three boundaries.

Jayawardene’s dismissal with the total on 150 triggered a mini collapse as Sri Lanka lost four wickets for 18 runs.

Anjelo Mathews, who came in at 150-4, joined tailender Nuwan Kulasekara and repaired the innings with a 43-run partnership.

He faced 61 ball and hit four boundaries.

Sri Lanka is looking for a third consecutive Asia Cup title, having won the previous two editions in 2004 and 2008. But this time around, the team will be without star batsman Sanath Jayasuriya and spinner Ajantha Mendis, who helped win the cup in 2008.

Pakistan, last crowned Asian champion a decade ago, handed maiden one-day international caps to 20-year-old batsmen Shahzaib Hasan and Amin.

India and Bangladesh are the other teams participating in the championship.