Pakistan's new discovery Aamer finds consolation

Pakistan 279-8 Sri Lanka 147

Pakistan clinched a second consolation victory in the fifth and final one-day international against Sri Lanka in Colombo yesterday, but the hosts still won the series 3-2.

Pakistan, who lost the first three games of the series, won by 132 runs after scoring an impressive 279 for 8, captain Younus Khan scoring 76 and Misbah-ul-Haq supporting with an undefeated 73.

Bowlers Naved-ul-Hasan and Mohammad Aamer then claimed four wickets each as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 147 in 34.2 overs.

Seventeen-year-old left-armer Aamer, considered Pakistan's find of the year, took 4 for 28 with the wickets of Upul Tharanga (nought), Mahela Jayawardene (31), Chamara Kapugedera (one) and Angelo Mathews (five).

Naved claimed 4 for 44, including the key scalps of Sanath Jayasuriya (six) and Kumar Sangakkara (16).

The hosts were only in the hunt briefly when Jayawardene and Sangakkara shared a 35-run stand for the third wicket. Left-hander Thilina Kandamby saved Sri Lanka from the ignominy of a record one-day defeat with 42 not out, adding 71 with Malinga Bandara (31) for the ninth wicket.

Earlier, Khan anchored Pakistan's innings with a 100-ball knock after opener Kamran Akmal was dismissed for a duck and was supported by Misbah, who scored an unbeaten 73 from 82 balls with five boundaries.

Opener Imran Nazir blazed 35 from 23 balls to give Pakistan a quick start after they won the toss. Mohammad Yousuf chipped in with 43 off 55 balls.

Paceman Nuwan Kulasekara was Sri Lanka's best bowler, finishing with 3 for 46 from his 10 overs.