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JAIPUR, Wednesday - Pakistan registered a convincing 143-run victory over arch rivals India in their Pepsi Cup triangular tournament first round match played here today. It was another superlative performance by Wasim Akram's men who edged out Sri Lanka by nine runs in exciting 'curtain-raiser' in Jamshedpur last Friday.

It was opener Saeed Anwar who set the rhythm for a smart Pakistan victory with a blistering knock of 95 before being caught behind by Nayan Mongia off Dravid. Helped by the match-winning innings of Anwar, Pakistan made a commanding 278 for nine in 50 overs after Akram won the toss and elected to bat first. Anwar had ten boundaries and a six in becoming the third Pakistani to reach the milestone of 6,000 ODI runs after Javed Miandad and Salim Malik.

Anwar and pinch-hitter Shahid Afridi added 75 runs for the first wicket before the latter was caught by Chopra off leg spinner Anil Kumble for 38. But Anwar went on to consolidate on the sound foundation Pakistan got and held his end. He was well supported by Ijaz Ahamed (29), Inzamam-ul-Haq (43), Moin Khan (22) and Azhar Mahmood (22).

Pakistan were strongly placed at 150 for one on the halfway mark, the 25th over, but Indian bowlers were able to put breaks on the Pakistan run flow.

But India never looked comfortable against that commanding Pakistan total which set them an asking rate of over 5.5 runs per over. They lost four quick wickets and were never able to get out of the early blow by the Pakistan bowlers. India could only make 135 at the end.

Pakistan now heads the latest points standing with two wins in equal number of matches while India is placed second, followed by Sri Lanka. The first leg matches concluded today and the three second leg matches starts on Friday.

Sri Lanka is due in Vishakapatnam to play Pakistan in their next Pepsi Cup match on Friday. It will be a do or die battle for the Sri Lankans who have lost 14 of their last 17 one day internationals. Sri Lanka must beat Pakistan and India in successive matches and maintain a superior net run-rate if they are to make it to the Pepsi Cup finals to be played in Bangalore on April 4.