Fast bowler Lasith Malinga grabbed five wickets in a devastating final three-over spell to lead Sri Lanka to a 12-run win over defending champions Pakistan on Tuesday in the opening match of cricket's Asia Cup in Bangladesh.
Pakistan, chasing Sri Lanka's 6-296, seemed to be cruising at 4-242 in the 43rd over following a fifth-wicket stand of 121 between skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal.
But Malinga turned the tables, finishing with 5-52, as Pakistan lost their last six batsmen for 42 runs to be bowled out for 284 in the second last over.
Akmal hit 74 off 72 balls with seven boundaries and three sixes and Misbah made 73, but Pakistan were unable to finish off as pressure mounted on the lower-order batsmen.
Sri Lanka's innings revolved around opener Lahiru Thirimanne's 102, his second one-day hundred, and contributions from Kumar Sangakkara (67) and skipper Angelo Mathews (55no).
Sri Lanka were 2-204 in the 36th over when Pakistan slowed the pace by grabbing four wickets in nine overs.
Thirimanne and Sangakkara compiled Sri Lanka's highest second-wicket stand against Pakistan, adding 161 after Kusal Perera fell in the eighth over for 14.
Thirimanne, opening in the absence of injured Tillakaratne Dilshan, hit 11 fours and a six before being bowled by Saeed Ajmal in the 36th over.
Sangakkara continued on from his 319 and 105 in the second Test in Chittagong, hitting eight boundaries for his 84th ODI half-century.
captain Mathews said he owed the dramatic win to the top-order batsmen and Malinga.
"I still think we were 20 runs short, considering the start Thirimanne and Sangakkara gave us. But in the past, we've won close games and it was good to come out on top again.
"Malinga has been our best bowler for the past few years. He is our go-to man whenever we are under pressure and he did it again."
Pakistan slipped to 3-83 in the 14th over. It soon became 4-121 as Sohaib Maqsood (17) pulled a short ball from Sachithra Senanayake to de Silva on the mid-wicket fence.
But Misbah and Akmal's fightback raised Pakistan's hopes, before Malinga stepped in to steer Sri Lanka to victory.
Misbah said he was disappointed by the loss, given his team were in a sound position during his stand with Akmal.
"We had six wickets in hand and we should have won this game. There was nothing in the wicket for the bowlers and this total should have been chased."
India play hosts Bangladesh on Wednesday. Afghanistan are the fifth team in the tournament, which decides the regional champion in one-day cricket.
