COLOMBO Aug 7: Pakistan held off । spirited challenge from Sri

Lanka's ninth-wl-cket pair to clinch the one-day series with a 19-run win in the third and final one-day international here Sunday, reports AFP.

Pakistan's win also ended Srl Lanka's record of being unbeaten In every one-day series played at home since 1986

Liespite a last-ditch 76 run stand between tail-enders Ruwan Kal page and Chaminda Vaas. Srl Lanka were all out for 218 in the 49th over. Pakistan made 237 for seven In their 50 overs after being put into bat by Aijuna Ranatunga.

Eventually it was skipper Saiim Malik’s blazing 93 not out that proved to be the match winner because the gallant fight-back by the Srl Lankan ninth-wicket pair almost stopped the world champions in their victory march.

Malik's 94-ball knock helped the tourists set Sri Lanka a hard task on a slow track that made pace bowlers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis exert themselves to the hilt.

Yet. Srl Lanka put on the pressure after the home side were on the verge of another rout at 133 for eight in the 31st over. Vaas played courageously to hold up one end and allow the experienced Kalpage to do most of the scoring,

Akram dashed Sri Lanka's hopes In the 48th over by uprooting the stumps of fast bowler Vaas. who made a brave 33 during the 16.4 over association with the left handed Kalpage. •

When Younis shattered last man Muttiah Muralidharan's stumps with the last ball'of his final over. Kalpage was unbeaten on a solid 44 that included a mighty mid-wicket six off Younis.

Akram finished with best figures of three for 24 off nine overs while Younis. Malik and left-arm spinner Aamer Sohail claimed two wickets each.

Earlier. Sri Lankan opener

Sanath Jayasuriya made Ms third consecutive half-century but the rest of the strong batting line-up crumbled to the Pakistani pace attack

It was Akram who triggered the early eollapse when he snatched two wickets in two balls to have Sri Lanka reeling at 13 for two.

YotSnis had his first victim when he had vice captain Aravinda de Silva offering a comfortable catch to Malik for 21.

The presence of star batsman Roshan Mahanama for the first time tn the series seemed to boost Sri Lanka s (lagging morale but the right-hander, playing his 100th one-day International. failed to get Into top gear.

Mahanama. who missed the first two matches because of surgery to his damaged left knee, scored 32 before he was trapped leg-before to Malik in

at square-leg by Inzamamul Haq off spinner Akram Raza for 50

the 27th over.

Skipper Ranatunga also failed miserably, scoring 19 before being bowled by Sohail.

If Jayasuriya's place in the team was in doubt prior to the one-day series, he has secured a permanent slot as opener with three successive half-centuries against the visitors.

The gifted left-handed opener clouted the first ball bowled by Malik for a six and also collected three boundaries. He departed midway (n the innings when he was held at square-leg by Inzamamul Haq off spinner Akram Raza for 50.