Colombo, March 22:

Pakistan registered a comfortable four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the third and final one-day international to clinch the series 2-0 here on Wednesday.

Pakistan surpassed their target of 225 with 4.4 overs to spare. All-rounder Shahid Afridi set the game up for Pakistan with his effective leg-spin bowling that took three important wickets and helped dismiss the home side for 224 in 49.4 overs. That total was overhauled with ease as Mohammad Yousuf slammed 53 after openers Shoaib Malik (46) and Imran Farhat (46) had laid the foundation.

Afridi returned with figures of 3-37 as the Sri Lankan batsmen failed to get big scores despite starting well.

The hosts were 86-1 when Afridi came on to bowl in the 21st over. He struck three quick blows to remove Kumar Sangakkara (22), Kaushal Lokuarachchi (13) and Russel Arnold (zero) to leave Sri Lanka struggling on 133-5 by the 35th over. Opener Chamara Kapugedera top-scored with 50 while Tillakaratne Dilshan (44) and captain Mahela Jayawardene (31) were the other main contributors. Kapugedera added 57 for the first wicket with Upul Tharanga (23) and 36 for the second with Sangakkara.

Pakistan’s reply started vigorously with Malik smashing nine fours off 38 balls and Farhat eight off 52. They added 61 in under nine overs. Yousuf then took his team close to victory with half-century before being trapped lbw by Farveez Maharoof.

Razzaq (23) smashed a straight six to finish the match.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka will now play a two-Test series. The first Test will be held in Colombo from March 26 and the second in Kandy from April 3.