Afridi helps Pakistan restrict Sri Lanka to 131

DUBAI: Returning all-rounder Shahid Afridi took three wickets to help Pakistan restrict Sri Lanka to 131 in the first day-night One-day International at Dubai stadium here on Friday.

Afridi, who finished with 3-27, led the Pakistan spin attack which shared seven wickets between them as they never allowed batsmen to flourish on a slow paced wicket after Tillakaratne Dilshan won the toss and decided to bat.

Dinesh Chandimal top-scored with 28 while opener Tharanga Paranavitna (25) and Mahela Jayawardene (24) were other notable scorers as Afridi, along with off-spinners Saeed Ajmal (2-21) and Mohammad Hafeez (2-24) bowled Sri Lanka out in 40.3 overs.

Sri Lanka didn't get their innings off the start they wanted when Dilshan was dismissed in the second over of the match, bowled by paceman Aizaz Cheema for four.

With their captain back in the pavilion, Sri Lanka did not recover as wickets continued to fall, in-form Kumar Sangakkara falling for five after struggling through 24 deliveries.

Chandimal and Paranavitana added 30 for the third wicket before Pakistan's spinners ran riot, grabbing the last seven wickets for a mere 54 runs.

Afridi, who retired from international cricket in protest over being sacked as one-day captain and only took back his decision last month, struck in his first over of the match.

Chandimal hit him for a six off his fourth ball, but the leg-spinner had him leg-before the very next ball. Chandimal hit two sixes and a four off 31 balls.

The 31-year-old Afridi then dismissed Seekkuge Prasanna (five) and Lasith Malinga (11) during his incisive 9.3 overs spell.

Jayawardene and Paranavitana were the others to provide some resistance but they too departed to spinners. (AFP)