At Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, September 11. Sri Lanka won by seven wickets. Toss: Sri Lanka.

Arjuna Ranatunga played the key role. He did not hesitate to put Pakistan in, counting on another rainy-season morning to help his bowlers. His own bowling was particularly effective, though Salim Malik, with a patient 53, helped squeeze out a few runs. The contest was still wide open when Ranatunga walked out to bat at 65 for three. Consistently sweeping the spinners, he handled the chase with aplomb. Mahanama withdrew with cramp when they had added 32 for the fourth wicket, but Tillekeratne helped Ranatunga extend the stand by 116. Pakistan missed Wasim Akram, who had strained his hamstring, but offered no excuses for losing to the team they had dominated so easily in August.

Man of the Match: A. Ranatunga.

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