Close Sri Lanka 242 (Jayasuriya 97, Waqar Younis 3-43) beat Pakistan 203 (Yousuf Youhana 80, Gunaratne 4-44, Vaas 3-30) by 39 runs
Scorecard

Sanath Jayasuriya led from the front as Sri Lanka brushed aside Pakistan to virtually assure themselves a place in the final of the Morocco Cup at Tangier. Jayasuriya smashed 97 off 94 balls to help Sri Lanka recover to 242 after a shaky start, before Pakistan were skittled for 203 in 43.4 overs.

Pulasthi Gunaratne grabbed 4 for 44 in only his fourth one-day international, while experienced new ball partner Chaminda Vaas claimed 3 for 30. With two wins from three matches and a bonus point in the bag from the previous win against South Africa, Sri Lanka lead the preliminary league table. They can now be denied a place in the final only if Pakistan beat South Africa on Sunday and the South Africans defeat Sri Lanka on Monday - both by bonus-point winning margins.

The Sri Lankans, playing their third match in four days, showed no signs of fatigue after winning the toss and electing to bat on the slow wicket. Jayasuriya smashed 12 boundaries and a six, steering Sri Lanka out of early trouble after they had slumped to 53 for 3 in the 14th over. Jayasuriya missed his 13th one-day century by three runs when Wasim Akram, returning for his second spell in the 35th over, trapped him leg-before with his second delivery.

Mahela Jayawardene (43) was the only other batsman to shine, helping Jayasuriya add 111 for the fourth wicket off 117 balls. Russel Arnold hit 34 towards the end, but fell to Waqar before Sri Lanka reached a commanding total.

Yousuf Youhana was the lone Pakistani to emulate Jayasuriya's dogged approach, making 80 off 91 balls, but their innings was undone by some reckless strokeplay from his team-mates. Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul Haq and Younis Khan were caught in the deep off loose strokes, while Imran Nazir was bowled playing a cross-batted shot.

Pakistan were tottering at 57 for 4 in the 20th over before Abdul Razzaq joined Youhana to put on 70 for the fifth wicket. Razzaq was trapped leg-before by Muttiah Muralitharan for 25 and Pakistan's hopes dimmed further when Youhana edged a drive off Gunaratne to wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara in the 38th over. The margin of victory would have been even greater had it not been for Shahid Afridi, who made 26 off 16 balls at the death.

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