Triangular series, Dambulla: Pakistan 199-8 (50 overs) beat Sri Lanka 120 (43.1 overs) by 79 runs

Shoaib gave Pakistan the start they wanted with the ball Dambulla photo gallery

Pakistan spoiled Marvan Atapattu's debut as Sri Lankan one-day captain despite setting the home side only a modest target.

They registered their fifth successive win since the World Cup with paceman Shoaib Akhtar taking 2-19 on his return to the side.

Shoaib, who has been warned about his behaviour and general discipline by the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board, dismissed Sanath Jayasuriya for nought with his fourth delivery.

He also removed Kumar Sangakkara (29) and Sri Lanka lost their last seven wickets for only 22 runs in a sorry batting display, which left Atapattu with plenty of food for thought.

Having passed a pre-match fitness test, he chose to put Pakistan in after winning the toss.

And Atapattu could be well satisfied with the efforts of his bowlers, especially star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who claimed 3-37.

Pakistan mustered only eight boundaries during their innings, and although Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Sami hit sixes late on but were unable to see the total past 200.

Opener Mohammad Hafeez was their top scorer with 53, but it took him until the 42nd over.

Youngster Kaushal Lokuarachchi achieved a vital breakthrough when he removed Yousuf Youhana for one and although there were useful contributions from Faisal Iqbal (21) and Younis Khan (29), no-one was able to get on top of the bowling.

Taufeeq Umar was the first Pakistan batsman dismissed

Hafeez's 114-ball innings contained only two fours and it came to an end when he was caught by Sangakkara off Jayasuriya.

Two runs outs hastened Pakistan's decline and although Razzaq made 24 not out off 25 balls at the end, Sri Lanka were left with only a modest total to chase.

Jayasuriya's early downfall was a shock and when Atapattu, who was lbw to Razzaq for 29, and Sangakkara departed in the space of three overs, Pakistan were back in the game.

Mahela Jayawardene fell to Mohammad Sami for 22, Romesh Kaluwitharana lasted only five balls and the home side could not afford the run outs of Lokuarachchi and Chaminda Vaas.

Shoaib returned to try and polish off the tail but the final blow was delivered by Sami, who finished with exactly the same figures after bowling last man Muralitharan.

The triangular tournament also involves New Zealand, who will play Pakistan in the second game on Sunday.

Sri Lanka: Marvan Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Russel Arnold, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Chaminda Vaas, Prabath Nissanka, Muttiah Muralitharan.

Pakistan: Taufeeq Umar, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Yousuf Youhana, Faisal Iqbal, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Rashid Latif, Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami.

Umpires: Simon Taufel (Aus), Peter Manuel (SrL)
Third umpire: Gamini Silva (SrL)
Match referee: G.R. Viswanath (Ind)