SHARJAH, Oct 27: A series of nothing strokes by top order batsmen was the major contributory factor in Pakistan’s pathetic total of 176 after Waqar Younis opted to bat first under perfect batting conditions.

There was no venom in the pitch or the moderate Sri Lankan attack but it was some senseless strokeplay by Pakistanis that gave Sri Lanka an easy target to achieve.

While the Sri Lankan bowling could be described as moderate but the islanders’ outcricket was simply outstanding. Chaminda Vaas and Mahela Jayawardena took blinders to remove Yousuf Youhana and Wasim Akram respectively.

Only a sensible 47 by Younaha saved Pakistan from even getting out for a much lower total but he too was guilty of throwing his wicket when well set.

Gangling medium-pacer Dilhara Fernando and Prabath Nissanka, playing his first One-day International, did the early damage reducing Pakistan to 67 for five wickets by the 18th over.

Taufiq Umer dragged a ball onto his stumps, Saeed Anwar, batting at number three, gave a return catch, Shahid Afridi spooned a dolly to mid-wicket, while Younis Khan and Rashid Latif got out playing extravagant strokes.

Youhana and Abdur Razzaq tried to check the slide and put on 50 for the sixth wicket but both got out to loose strokes, ending any hopes of reaching a respectable total.