We'll be back soon with the second innings.

Sri Lanka's fast bowlers began tightly, with Dushmantha Chameera and Asitha Fernando especially impressive for their discipline in line and length. Wanindu Hasaranga quickly became the biggest threat, his wrong'uns gripping and skidding to create constant jeopardy. One of them should have removed Hussain Talat early, but Sri Lanka had already burnt their reviews. That reprieve proved costly.

Pakistan's early progress was scratchy. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman both found themselves caught between tempos. Babar looked the more composed of the two but still could not find full fluency, while Fakhar attempted to break free only to fall just as he seemed ready to shift gears. With Liyanage leaking runs at the other end, Pakistan remained afloat but not convincing at 95 for 4, with Hasaranga's variations doing the damage.

The innings turned with the arrival of Salman Ali Agha and Talat. Their partnership was built on relentless rotation, a stream of ones and twos that steadily drained Sri Lanka's control. The pair added 138 off 121 balls, Pakistan's most authoritative phase of the innings. Talat, having survived his lbw scare, answered critics with a career-best 62, while Salman unfurled his second ODI hundred, a superbly paced 105 off 87.

From 119 in 30 overs, Pakistan surged to 299, scoring 180 in the final 20 overs. Mohammad Nawaz's late burst, a lively 36 off 23, ensured the finish matched the rebuild and gave Pakistan a far healthier total than seemed likely earlier.

But whether it is enough remains to be seen. Evening conditions here generally make batting easier, chasing teams enjoy a clear advantage, and even 330+ has been chased down at this venue before. Pakistan's effort is competitive but far from safe.

DaWolf: "Big score but feels around par due to the slow start. Sri Lanka will rue some bad luck such as the missed lbw. Playing along the ground for four seems like a great shot, don't need to go aerial to score fast with a quick outfield. "

Hasaranga: "Credit to Salman and Talat for their partnership, but the wicket is good so backing my batters to chase it down. As a wicket-taking bowler, I've been bowling on the stumps."

khawaja Sahib : "Nawaz played almost near- about 15 dotts, not good"

Navi: "95/4 with Babar back, SL should have done better to restrict Pakistan to around 260-270"

Ranjit B: "If you look at this ground's ODI history, Lanka can chase this target with overs to spare. All they need is steady wicketless start. "

ASKARI : "93 in last match and 102 in this un the last 10 overs. It's Salman and Nawaz to whom credits goes at least death overs problem is solved, have to work hard on 1-15 though "

MAT: "If you ask me, Nawaz has been the best performing player in ODI and T20 in last six month, while Salman in test and ODI. Both are criminally underrated, unfancied and often subjected to criticism for their places in the team. "

around the stumps