KARACHI, June 30: Pakistan’s quest of reaching the Asia Cup final suffered decisively as a lacklustre batting display saw the hosts stumble to a 64-run defeat in the Super Four round tie against Sri Lanka here on Sunday night (also partly reported in Monday’s edition).

Kumar Sangakkara’s near flawless 112 made mockery of Shoaib Malik’s decision to field as the defending champions piled up 302-7.

In reply, the hosts limped to 238-9 despite Misbah-ul-Haq waging a lone battle, but the cause was long lost before the Pakistan vice-captain cut loose to delay the inevitable.

Misbah recorded his highest ODI score, unleashing four sixes and three fours on his way to 76 off 70 deliveries. But by then the verdict had been declared in favour of Sri Lanka.

A win was imperative for Pakistan, but the end-result has now left them in need of a miracle to boost their chances of making the final.

If anyone could be blamed for their ill-planned run chase, it was Shoaib Malik. The skipper spent 32 overs at the crease without really forcing the pace, which led to the asking rate climbing towards the point of no return.

Malik’s 79-ball 52 (three fours) was in sharp contrast to Younis Khan (47 off 60 balls, seven fours) and Misbah’s belated assault as Ajantha Mendis, a slow bowler with lots of tricks in his armoury, confounded the batsmen to no end.

The 23-year-old dismissed Mohammad Yousuf (missed a straight one while sweeping), Malik (stumped off a slow leg-cutter), Mansoor Amjad (deceived by a quicker one) and Misbah (heaving at a straight ball).

Pakistan’s miserable night got off to the worst possible start when Chaminda Vaas forced Salman Butt to play the first delivery on to his stumps.

With each passing over, it progressively got worse. Shahid Afridi emulated Salman’s dubious feat when his conventional attempt to hit Sanath Jayasuriya out of the ground against the spin landed safely in substitute Jehan Mubarak’s palms at long-off.

The difference between the teams was the disciplined bowling from the Sri Lankans, who didn’t concede any extras until the 33rd over when Jayasuriya bowled a wide.

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