Lahore: Sri Lanka bowled Pakistan out for 110 in 25.3 overs at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, with Dilshan Madushanka taking five wickets and leaving the hosts facing their first defeat in the ODI tri nation series.
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and chose to field, a decision that paid off as Pakistan struggled to establish partnerships against the visiting bowling attack.
Pakistan, who had already secured a place in the tournament final after winning their opening three matches, entered the contest following a one wicket victory over England. In that match, Shadab Khan's century had helped Pakistan recover from 154 for nine to chase down 242.
Against Sri Lanka, however, there was no comparable recovery.
Babar Azam led the charge with 29 off 33 deliveries, while Hasan Nawaz added 17 off 31.
Sri Lanka maintained pressure with pace and spin, with Madushanka leading the attack and supported by Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga, Sahan Arachchige and Dunith Wellalage.
Madushanka dismantles Pakistan's lower order
Pakistan were reduced to 80 for six after 19 overs, with Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas trying to rebuild.
Minhas struck a boundary off Madushanka in the 22nd over but was dismissed shortly after for 10 when a short delivery took the top edge of his bat and wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis caught it.
Dunith Wellalage then removed Hasan Nawaz for 17, with Sahan Arachchige completing the catch at long off.
Madushanka continued his spell, dismissing Haris Rauf for one after Kamindu Mendis caught him at first slip.
At 94 for nine after 24 overs, Pakistan relied on captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah to add to their total.
Afridi struck two sixes in his 15 off 13, taking Pakistan past 100.
However, Madushanka ended the innings in the 26th over when Afridi attempted to pull a short delivery and was caught by Wellalage at fine leg. The dismissal completed Madushanka's five wicket haul, with figures of five for 34.
Arachchige claimed two wickets, while Fernando, Malinga and Wellalage took one each.
Sri Lanka face target of 111
Sri Lanka now need 111 runs to win and strengthen their position in the tournament.
The visitors entered the contest after scoring 430 in their previous match, but their bowling determined the course of Pakistan's innings on Tuesday. Pakistan collapsed after successive victories in which their lower-order batting helped them recover from difficult positions.
Although Pakistan have already qualified for the final, the innings has raised questions about their batting consistency ahead of the tournament's deciding match.
Sri Lanka's chase will decide the result, with Pakistan's bowlers needing to defend 111.
