Younus steers Pakistan to 279-8 against S.Lanka

Skipper Younus Khan and Misbah-ul Haq hit half-centuries as Pakistan posted 279-8 in the fifth and final one-day international against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Younus made 76 and Misbah an unbeaten 73 to help Pakistan recover from the first-ball dismissal of Kamran Akmal, who was given out leg-before off Nuwan Kulasekara despite getting an edge on the bat.

Younus put on 69 for the third wicket with veteran Mohammad Yousuf (43) and 83 for the fourth with Misbah before being bowled by seamer Dammika Prasad in the 37th over.

Misbah stepped in to keep the scoreboard moving after the captain's dismissal, adding 60 for the seventh wicket with Rana Naved to carry Pakistan past the 250-run mark.

Kulasekara was the most impressive bowler with three for 46 from his 10 overs.

Sri Lanka face a target of 5.6 runs an over in the day-night international at the Premadasa stadium to win the series 4-1.

First innings scoreboard in the fifth and final one-day international between Pakistan and Sri Lanka:

Pakistan

Did not bat: Mohammad Aamer, Saeed Ajmal.

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Kamran Akmal), 2-45 (Imran Nazir), 3-113 (Mohammad Yousuf), 4-196 (Younus), 5-208 (Umar Akmal), 6-214 (Afridi), 7-274 (Naved), 8-279 (Iftikhar).

Bowling:

Toss: Pakistan

Umpires: Steve Davis (AUS) and Gamini Silva (SRI)

Match referee: Alan Hurst (AUS)