KARACHI, June 29: A brilliant Kumar Sangakkara century enabled Sri Lanka to set Pakistan a daunting run chase in the second match of the Super Four stage at this ninth Asia Cup at the National Stadium here on Sunday.

Sangakkara, rated as one of the best batsmen in world cricket, slammed 112 off 110 balls and anchored the defending champions to 302 for seven in their 50 overs despite excellent bowling from left-arm paceman Sohail Tanvir who returned career-best figures of five for 42.

But the first half of this day/night fixture was dominated by Sangakkara who had also scored 101 in the league round tie against Bangladesh in Lahore on Wednesday. The 30-year-old wicket-keeper/batsman’s ninth hundred in 222 One-day Internationals was spiced with 10 fours and one six until he was dismissed by Sohail in the 47th over, bowled while moving across the stumps.

The Sri Lankan vice-captain received good support from the two Chamaras – Kapugedera and Silva - who contributed fine knocks of 43 and 46 respectively.

However, inspired by Sohail, who claimed three wickets in the slog overs, Pakistan did well to curtail the Sri Lankan scoring to 70 runs in the final 10 overs.

Earlier, skipper Shoaib Malik, in a surprise move, chose to field after beating Mahela Jayawardene at the spin of coin with Pakistan making two changes from the side that was overwhelmed by India three days ago. Young pacer Wahab Riaz replaced the injured Umar Gul while Fawad Alam was omitted to accommodate talented leg-spinner Mansoor Amjad who also made his One-day International debut in the game.

It was a rare sight at the start to see both batsmen and the bowlers being left-handed as Wahab Riaz was preferred over Rao Iftikhar to take the new ball with Sohail. But the ploy lasted just three overs after Wahab, whose opening over cost 11 runs, gave way to the experienced Rao.

The ever-improving Sohail provided an early breakthrough in the fifth over when he caught the explosive Sanath Jayasuriya plumb in front of the stumps for a personal score of just 8. Jayasuriya who celebrated his 39th birthday on Saturday, was beaten by the sharp inswinger from Sohail.

Captain Jayawardene then batted positively to strike five boundaries in a 40-ball 29 until Sohail, coming on from the Pavillion End, forced him to cut to point where Misbah-ul-Haq held a fine catch jumping to his right.

The confident and stylish Chamara Kapugedera, arriving at 62 for two in the 14th over, hit the game’s first six in the 19th over when he nonchalantly took a couple of steps forward to blast Rao Iftikhar straight over midwicket. He meted out the same treatment to Malik four overs later.

Moments after Sangakkara had brought up his half-century in the 28th over, Kapugedera (58 balls, two sixes and two fours) provided Mansoor his first wicket in the spinner’s second over when Younis Khan took a well-judged catch in deep midwicket area. The stand between Sangakkara and Kapugedera was worth 88 in 92 deliveries.

Chamara Silva (48 balls, five boundaries) then assisted Sangakkara in a fourth-wicket partnership of 93 off just 83 balls before providing wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed with his first dismissal of the tournament.

Thilan Thushara, promoted ahead of Tillekeratne Dilshan and Chaminda Vaas, made 28 off 20 balls before falling to Sohail, whose previous best analysis were four for 34 against Zimbabwe at Hyderabad earlier this year.

Overall, Pakistan showed more energy in the field despite the hot and humid conditions as Malik rang changes on the bowling front at regular intervals. Moreover, it was a good sign to see Malik bowling himself.

Scoreboard

SRI LANKA:

S.T. Jayasuriya lbw b Jayasuriya 8

K.C. Sangakkara b Sohail 112

D.P.M.D. Jayawardene c Misbah b Sohail 29

C.K. Kapugedera c Younis b Mansoor 42

L.P.C. Silva c Sarfraz b Sohail 46

T. Thushara c Wahab b Sohail 28

T.M. Dilshan b Wahab 8

W.P.U.J.C. Vaas not out 4

K.M.D.N. Kulasekara not out 1

EXTRAS LB-10, W-11, NB-2) 23

TOTAL (for seven wkts, 50 overs) 302

FALL OF WKTS: 1-22, 2-62, 3-150, 4-243, 5-271, 6-288, 7-298.

DID NOT BAT: B.A.W. Mendis, M. Muralitharan.

BOWLING: Sohail Tanvir 10-1-48-5 (2nb, 6w); Wahab Riaz 9-0-52-1 (4w); Rao Iftikhar 8-0-60-0; Shahid Afridi 10-0-54-0 (1w); Shoaib Malik 5-0-34-0; Mansoor Amjad 8-1-44-1.

PAKISTAN: Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Sarfraz Ahmed, Sohail Tanvir, Mansoor Amjad, Rao Iftikhar, Wahab Riaz.

UMPIRES: I.J. Gould (England) and A.L. Hill (New Zealand).

TV UMPIRE: A.F.M. Akhtaruddin Shaheen (Bangladesh).

MATCH REFEREE: A.G. Hurst (Australia).