Dubai, Oct 14 (AFP) Babar Azam scored an impressivehundred while Shoaib Malik smashed a quickfire half century tohelp Pakistan thump Sri Lanka by 83 runs in the first one-dayinternational in Dubai.
Azam compiled a well-made 103 from 131 deliveries, whileMalik's 81 came off only 61 balls in Pakistan's total of 292-6, before pacemen Hasan Ali (3-36) and Rumman Raees (3-49)restricted Sri Lanka to 209-8 from their 50 overs inyesterday's match.
The victory was a good response by Pakistan after losingthe preceding two-match Test series 2-0, in their first ODIsince winning the Champions Trophy in England four months ago.
Lahiru Thirimanne was the only Sri Lankan top-orderbatsman who played with any authority for his 53 as Pakistantook regular wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the five-matchseries.
Akila Dananjaya (50 not out) and Jeffrey Vandersay (25)delayed the result as they took Sri Lanka from 132-7 to 200-8during their 68-run eighth-wicket stand but it was too little,too late.
Left-armer Raees broke a quick 30-run opening partnershipas he removed Niroshan Dickwella (19) and Dinesh Chandimal insuccessive overs, while Mohammad Hafeez dismissed captain UpulTharanga for 18.
Medium pacer Ali had two wickets off two balls as hedislodged Kusal Mendis and Milinda Siriwardana to leave SriLanka struggling at 67-5.
Raees returned for his second spell to trap Thirimanneleg before to end Sri Lanka's hopes of a successful chase.
Thirimanne hit three boundaries in his 74-ball stay.
Pakistan, sent into bat, owed their total to Azam andMalik, who added 139 for the fourth wicket.
Malik holed out in the 47th over after smashing fivefours and two sixes.
Malik, declared man of the match, said he was happy to dothe job.
"I always try to bat as per the requirement of the teamand I am happy I did that today as well," said Malik. "Babarplayed well and Hafeez played a little cameo which set uswell."Azam's hundred came off 128 balls in the next over with asingle, but three runs later he miscued a drive off pacemanSuranga Lakmal, who finished with 2-47 from his ten overs.
Azam, who hit only five boundaries, had managed a poor 38runs in the preceding 2-0 Test-series defeat but batted withguts to prove his credentials as a limited-overs batsman.
Pakistan plundered 89 in the last ten overs.
The nominal hosts got off to a poor start when openerAhmed Shehzad fell for a 12-ball duck, caught off LahiruGamage in the fourth over of the innings.
Fakhar Zaman and Azam took the total to 75 before AkilaDananjaya bowled the opener with a googly.
The left-handed Zaman played well during his 45-ball 42though, hitting four fours and a six.
The remaining matches will be played in Abu Dhabi(October 16 and 18) and Sharjah (October 20 and 23). (AFP)CHT.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.