Date-stamped : 15 Jul97 - 14:20 Tuesday 15, July 1997 Pepsi Asia Cup: Sri Lanka win first match by 15 runs By SA'ADI THAWFEEQ World champions Sri Lanka made better use of a slow R. Premadasa Stadium wicket to defeat Pakistan by 15 runs in the opening game of the Pepsi Asia Cup tournament played Monday. Sri Lanka inserted in by Pakistan scored 239 all out with a ball to spare from their quota of 50 overs. Pakistan always struggled to reach that total after losing their top three batsmen for 51 runs, and eventually ended with 224 for 9 off 50 overs. The match-winner for Sri Lanka was left-arm spinner Sanath Jayasuriya, who took 4 for 49 off 10 overs, three of those dismissals to superb catches in the outfield by Ruwan Kalpage. Sri Lanka's total always looked like posing a threat to the Pakistani batting line-up, however strong it was. As a result, only Inzamam-ul-Haq (48 off 77 balls) and Salim Malik (57 off 79 balls) made any noteworthy contributions, as the rest of the batting after them could muster together only 19 runs for four wickets. Rameez's decision to send Sri Lanka in first was justified to a certain extent as he kept the free hitting Jayasuriya quiet on a moist pitch where the ball moved off the seam, Sri Lanka were able to score only 78 off 15 overs. Jayasuriya made 33 off 41 balls before lofting a catch to mid-on. Man of the match Marvan Atapattu and Aravinda de Silva then put together the highest partnership of the match - 65 for the second wicket. De Silva (34) cut once too often and eventually succeeded in giving a catch to point. Atapattu kept one end going as he eased gradually towards his maiden one-day century. But at 80, he became one of three run out victims for Sri Lanka within the space of 17 balls. Atapattu backed up too far and was given out by the third umpire. He scored his runs of 114 balls hitting three fours. Sri Lanka at one time looked headed for a total in excess of 250, but a flurry of wickets to poor judgment of running between wickets contributed to their downfall as they lost eight wickets for 79 runs. The tournament was opened by Speaker K.B. Ratnayake, who was later introduced to the two teams. Scoreboard in the Asia Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan on Monday: Sri Lanka Source :: Daily News (http://www.lanka.net) Comment: An exciting victory By Elmo Rodrigopulle The Sri Lankans played like the world champions that they are, to score an exciting 15_run victory over Pakistan in the opener of the Sixth Pepsi Asia Cup encounter at the R. Premadasa International cricket stadium, yesterday. However the Lankans cannot be satisfied with this win. They have a few screws to be tightened in their game allround and it is hoped they will put things right before they meet India in the next game on Friday. When the Lankans batted the wicket was not that easy. Apparently the covering during the week for fear of rain would have left some moisture and stroke_making was not easy. However the batsmen batted admirably and the 239 runs they got proved adequate as the strong Pakistani batting line_up failed to capitalise on batting conditions that were better and collapsed for 224 to give the Sri Lankans victory by 15 runs. Once again Sanath Jayasuriya was in blazing form and together with Marvan Atapattu who made a top score of 80 in 114 balls gave Sri Lanka the start they were looking for. Atapattu and Jayasuriya put on 46 and then after Atapattu and Aravinda de Silva put on 65 for the second wicket, it was nice to see the two would be brothers_in_law today Atapattu and skipper Ranatunga putting on 49 for the third wicket. The Lankans lost their way in the middle and it was a gallant 25 from Dharmasena that finally took them to 239. When the Pakistanis batted, the Lankan bowling and fielding was spot on with Muralitheran's catch to send back Afridi being a brilliant effort. Kalpage too excelled in this aspect. The minus factor in the fielding was the lapses by wicket keeper Kaluwitharne. But the other fielders rallied and Kaluwitharane's misses did not prove costly in the end. But it is time that Kaluwitharne realised his value behind the stumps. Pakistan losing Anwer, Sohail and Afridi early put them on reverse gear and although Malik and Ul_Haq tried hard, they could not get on top of the Lankan bowling that was well handled by skipper Ranatunga. Jayasuriya richly deserved the man_of_the_match award for his fine allround display. All cricketers, officials and cricket fans breathed a sigh of relief when the day dawned bright and sunny. Weather forecasts were for rain. But the rain did not appear and it was a good day's cricket. The Cricket Board put on show a simple, yet impressive and colourful opening ceremony in which the chief guest was the Speaker K. B. Ratnayake, who was a fine sportsman during his time and who was at one time Minister of Sports. The good work that Ratnayake did during his time as Minister of Sports is being given continuity by the young and energetic S. B. Dissanayake. Among the distinguished personalities at the opening ceremony were also Jeevan Kumaratunge, Deputy Minister of Sports and Mahinda Wijesekera, Deputy Minister of Housing and Urban Development. It was not a pretty sight to see Pakistan captain Rameez Raja come out to toss wearing his shorts. He should have taken an example from the Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga who was clad in his creams. Raja should have realised that this tournament was the Asian showpiece and the action was being taken to all of Asia and beyond by television. We hope he would be better attired when he next comes out to toss. Source :: Daily News (http://www.lanka.net) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)