Lanka maul listless Pak

Kumar Sangakkara notched up his ninth one-day international century and Ajantha Mendis claimed four wickets...

Kumar Sangakkara notched up his ninth one-day international century and Ajantha Mendis claimed four wickets as Sri Lanka thrashed hosts Pakistan by 64 runs in a Super Four match of the Asia Cup.

Sangakkara scored 112 off 110 deliveries in the defending champions8217; total of 302-7 in 50 overs. Misbah-ul-Haq had a career-best 76 off 70 balls before Pakistan were restricted to 238 for nine in their allotted 50 overs.

Pakistan8217;s middle-order failed to read the 23-year-old Mendis8217; variety of spinning deliveries and slumped to 175-6 by the end of 40th over. Misbah narrowed the margin of victory, hitting three fours and four sixes before he was bowled out by Mendis 4-47.

The defeat left Pakistan still without a point as they prepare to meet India on Wednesday and Bangladesh on Friday in the remaining two games.

Sri Lanka 8212; who meet Bangladesh on Monday 8212; and India both have four points after carrying two points each from the group matches.

Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik made 52 off 79 balls before he was stumped off Mendis in the 32nd over.

Pakistan had a disastrous start to their chase when Chaminda Vaas castled Salman Butt off the very first delivery.

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Younis Khan and Malik added 72 runs for the second wicket off 100 balls to keep the home team in the run. Muttiah Muralitharan took a well judged catch while running backward off Younis8217; mistimed pull shot.

Mendis trapped Mohammad Yousuf 19 with a top-spinner and then got Mansoor Amjad8217;s wicket in similar fashion before hard-hitting Shahid Afridi holed out in the deep off his first delivery.

Sangakkara was bowled in the 47th over by paceman Sohail Tanvir after anchoring the Sri Lanka innings with 10 fours and a six. Tanvir finished with his career-best figures of 5-48.

Sangakkara made full use of ideal batting conditions and featured in two important stands against a weakened Pakistan bowling attack.

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In the absence of injured paceman Umar Gul, Tanvir gave Pakistan some hopes of restricting Sri Lanka with the key wickets of hard-hitting Sanath Jayasuriya 8 and captain Mahela Jayawardene 29. Jayasuriya was trapped leg before wicket while Misbah held onto a sharp two-handed diving catch at point to dismiss Jayawardene.