Johannesburg: Pakistan coasted to a 33-run win over Sri Lanka in their first Super Eight match of the ICC World Twenty20 in Johannesburg today. After being asked to score 190 to win, Sri Lanka were restricted to 156-9 in 20 overs as allrounder Shahid Afridi was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, taking 3-18 in 4 overs.

The Sri Lankan batting struggled once openers Upul Tharanga (0) and Sanath Jayasuriya (5) had gone early. Skipper Mahela Jayawardene, who made 28, staged a brief recovery with Kumara Sangakkara (18), until the latter was unfortunately bowled.

Once Jayawardene departed the writing was on the wall for the World Cup runners-up. Chamara Silva and Tilkaratne Dilshan, who both made 38, raised a few hopes, but their effort fell short of the target.

Earlier, explosive half centuries by skipper Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan helped Pakistan post a formidable total of 189 for six wickets. Malik notched up a 31-ball 57 and Younis hit a 35-ball 51 to revive the Pakistani innings and score enough runs on the board to give their bowlers a chance.

Seasoned campaigner Chaminda Vass and Dilhara Fernando made life difficult for the Pakistani batsmen with their accurate bowling. Fernando scalped Salman Butt (12) and Mohammed Hafeez (10) while Vass dismissed the explosive Imran Nazir (7) to leave Pakistan tottering at 33 for three in 5.5 overs.

However, the experienced duo of Younis and Malik shouldered the responsibility well to build a 101-run partership for the fourth wicket by playing some breathtaking shots. Playing aggressively, Younis hit two fours and three sixes for his half century before being caught by Tilekaratne Dilshan off Lasith Malinga.

With five overs left, Shahid Afridi joined Malik and both of them continued the blitzkriege without any break until Malinga-Dilshan tango worked again to plot the Pakistan captain s downfall. Malik hit four boundaries and two sixes during his entertaining knock. A 9-ball 17 by Afridi and smaller contributions by Misbah-ul-Haq (16 off 6 balls) and Kamran Akmal (10 off 9 balls) took Pakistan closer to the 190-run mark.

Malinga (3/43) was the highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka while Fernando (2/17) and Vass (1/23) stood out for their economical bowling performances.