Karachi: Sri Lanka scored an easy 64-run victory over Pakistan in a crucial Super Four match in the Asia Cup at National Stadium Sunday with Kumar Sangakkara’s chanceless ninth ODI century.

Jayasuriya fell early but Sangakkara along with Jayawardene pushed the score with deft touches. 

Chasing Sri Lanka’s 303 for seven in 50 overs, Pakistan could only score 238 runs from with Misbah-ul Haq top-scoring with a gallant 70-ball 76. Misbah recorded his highest one-day score but he fought a losing battle. 
 
Pakistan found a cold starting block as Chaminda Vaas castled Salman Butt for a blob. 

Skipper Shoaib Malik (52) and Younis Khan (47) tried to puncture the pressure with a flurry of boundaries in their 72-run partnership. Younis played a wrong shot, Shoaib Malik gave the fatal charge and Shahid Afridi irresponsibly swung his bat to leave his team gaping at 135 for five in 32.3 overs while the Sri Lankan spin trio of Muralitharan, Jayasuriya and Mendis (four for 47) choked the middle overs.

Pakistan was restricted to 238 for nine in 50 overs. So, Pakistan (0) will have to win their remaining two matches with comfortable margins to stay in the series and pray that either India or Sri Lanka (on four points each) lose both their matches to reach the final.