Yousuf Youhana top-scored with an unbeaten 107 to guide Pakistan to an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka and into the final of a three-nation one-day tournament on Wednesday.
Youhana and all-rounder Shoaib Malik, who struck 86 not out, shared an unbroken stand of 200 for the third wicket as Pakistan reached 233-2 in reply to Sri Lanka’s 232-9.
It was Pakistan’s third successive win in the tournament and they will met either Sri Lanka or Zimbabwe in the October 16 final in Lahore.
Youhana, who hit seven fours and a six in 121 balls, became Pakistan’s sixth batsman to reach 6,000 runs in one-day internationals when he moved to 67.
His hundred was the 10th of his career and followed scores of one and 14 in Pakistan’s previous matches against Zimbabwe.
Earlier, Malik took 3-32 to help restrict Asian champions Sri Lanka in the third match of the tournament.
Malik kept the innings in check by first smartly running out a dangerous looking Sanath Jayasuriya (53) then dismissing Marvan Atapattu (46), Mahela Jayawardene (18) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (4).
He helped put the brakes on Sri Lanka who are playing their first game since their Champions trophy defeat by England last month.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka
: 232-9 in 50 overs (S Jayasuriya 53, Marvan Atapattu 46, Kumar Sangakkara 38, Sami 2-41, Shoaib Malik 3-32).
Pakistan: 233-2 in 48.4 overs (Shoaib Malik 86 n.o, Yousuf Youhana 107 n.o).