Abu Dhabi, May 19:

Shahid Afridi’s swashbuckling 73 not out led Pakistan to a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first match of the limited-overs Warid Series on Friday.

Pakistan, chasing Sri Lanka’s 235 for nine, reached 239-5 with eight overs to spare. Afridi struck eight fours and four sixes in 34 deliveries, including 32 runs off spinner Malinga Bandara’s final over at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Kamran Akmal hit a run-a-ball 51 not out and shared an 81-run unbeaten stand for the sixth wicket with Afridi.

Earlier, Farveez Maharoof’s career-best 69 not out off 54 balls set up Sri Lanka’s challenging total after they were reduced to 105-3 in the packed 20,000-seat stadium. Maharoof hit nine hits to the fence and one six. Sri Lankan inninigs was revived by Maharoof and Chamara Silva, who chipped in 47 before becoming the third run out victim.