Pakistan secured an 11-run victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo to top World Cup Group A after the hosts failed to chase down 278 runs batting second.
Shahid Afridi's side posted 277 for seven after the all-rounder won the toss and elected to bat first, as Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq both recorded half-centuries.
Sri Lanka raced to 76 without loss, but faltered badly in their middle order as Afridi claimed four scalps for 34 runs to reach 300 one-day international wickets and their run-chase petered out on 266 for nine.
Pakistan stalwarts Khan and Misbah shared a century partnership as the pair came together after Pakistan were reduced to 105 for three and they provided a solid foundation as Pakistan seized the supremacy between the two former champions.
Earlier, Mohammad Hafeez and Kamran Akmal were left wondering which of them was out after a mix-up left them both comically stranded at the same end.
Kamran Akmal scampered to the striker's end for a quick single when Hafeez swept the ball behind the wicket facing off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan in the 13th over. Hafeez did not move an inch, even after Sri Lanka wicketkeeper and skipper Kumar Sangakkara's initial wayward throw flew well over Muralitharan. Angelo Mathews successfully returned it to the bowler for the simplest of run outs.
Once Younus and Misbah came together, they employed a safety-first strategy and nudged the ball through gaps to pick up singles and twos instead of trying to score off boundaries against tight bowling and sharp fielding by the Sri Lankans.
Younus struck four fours in his knock of 72 before he top edged a sweep off Herath to Mahela Jayawardene at short fine leg. Misbah kept a cool head and played a solid innings to remain unbeaten 83 with six fours and batting with a runner.
Upal Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan assumed a strong early position for their side with 76 on the board for no loss, but a steady stream of dismissals followed as Sri Lanka lost their way.
Captain Sangakkara led the way with a controlled and composed 49, but Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera departed for a combined total of three runs as Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar seized the initiative for Pakistan.
Chamara Silva compiled 57 runs, but at such a pedestrian rate the number six did little to inspire or inject urgency into his side's run-chase. Indeed, it took Silva a full 67 deliveries to muster his first boundary.
Another sloppy display in the field threatened to derail Pakistan's challenge, with two missed stumpings by Kamran Akmal, a string of dropped catches and 29 extras undermining the bowlers' efforts.
Kulasekara racked up a swift 24 as Sri Lanka were left to require an improbable 18 runs off the final over, but Umar Gul ensured that Pakistan held on to claim an 11-run win.
The victory moves Pakistan above Australia with the two sides having both recorded two successive wins as the top teams jostle for position with the quarter-finals at the back of their minds.
Shahid Afridi's side posted 277 for seven after the all-rounder won the toss and elected to bat first, as Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq both recorded half-centuries.
Sri Lanka raced to 76 without loss, but faltered badly in their middle order as Afridi claimed four scalps for 34 runs to reach 300 one-day international wickets and their run-chase petered out on 266 for nine.
Pakistan stalwarts Khan and Misbah shared a century partnership as the pair came together after Pakistan were reduced to 105 for three and they provided a solid foundation as Pakistan seized the supremacy between the two former champions.
Earlier, Mohammad Hafeez and Kamran Akmal were left wondering which of them was out after a mix-up left them both comically stranded at the same end.
Kamran Akmal scampered to the striker's end for a quick single when Hafeez swept the ball behind the wicket facing off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan in the 13th over. Hafeez did not move an inch, even after Sri Lanka wicketkeeper and skipper Kumar Sangakkara's initial wayward throw flew well over Muralitharan. Angelo Mathews successfully returned it to the bowler for the simplest of run outs.
Once Younus and Misbah came together, they employed a safety-first strategy and nudged the ball through gaps to pick up singles and twos instead of trying to score off boundaries against tight bowling and sharp fielding by the Sri Lankans.
Younus struck four fours in his knock of 72 before he top edged a sweep off Herath to Mahela Jayawardene at short fine leg. Misbah kept a cool head and played a solid innings to remain unbeaten 83 with six fours and batting with a runner.
Upal Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan assumed a strong early position for their side with 76 on the board for no loss, but a steady stream of dismissals followed as Sri Lanka lost their way.
Captain Sangakkara led the way with a controlled and composed 49, but Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera departed for a combined total of three runs as Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar seized the initiative for Pakistan.
Chamara Silva compiled 57 runs, but at such a pedestrian rate the number six did little to inspire or inject urgency into his side's run-chase. Indeed, it took Silva a full 67 deliveries to muster his first boundary.
Another sloppy display in the field threatened to derail Pakistan's challenge, with two missed stumpings by Kamran Akmal, a string of dropped catches and 29 extras undermining the bowlers' efforts.
Kulasekara racked up a swift 24 as Sri Lanka were left to require an improbable 18 runs off the final over, but Umar Gul ensured that Pakistan held on to claim an 11-run win.
The victory moves Pakistan above Australia with the two sides having both recorded two successive wins as the top teams jostle for position with the quarter-finals at the back of their minds.
