Afridi's bowlers do the trick

Scorecard:

What worked for Pakistan in the final analysis was that they have such a balanced attack that there are six strike bowlers to accommodate in 50 overs.

This meant once the Sri Lankan top order was removed, there was no way the middle order could consolidate as there was a *proper* full-time strike bowler bowling at either end all the time.

Chamara Silva, with his turgid batting, stiffled the Lankan chase in the middle overs. Sanga tried to break out of jail by timing his batting PP well, but fell victim to the mounting pressure.

Once he went, there was just not enough ammo for Sri Lanka to break free in the home stretch, especially after Akhtar and co came back on. Silva's late charge was never going to be enough.

Pakistan will also do well to note how close Sri Lanka came without really ever being in the game at any point. That happened because Afridi messed up his batting powerplay and Pakistan ended up well short of what they were capable of by the 34^th over.

Nonetheless, Pakistan's joie de vivre was hard to ignore, despite their rusty and erratic display.

Overall, a scrappy affair, but a much-needed fillip to this world cup. That's it for tonight. Over now to India v England tomorrow.