Sri Lanka beat Pakistan

Hosts Sri Lanka pulled off a 36-run victory in the first limited-over international against Pakistan at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium today, to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.



Chasing a competitive 233 runs to win, Pakistan were bowled out for 196 with five overs to spare against the bowling of Thilan Thushara three for 29, Nuwan Kulasekara two for 30 and Muttiah Muralitharan two for 46.



Umar Gul 33 and Fawad Alam 31 scored most runs for Pakistan.



Earlier, Sri Lanka recovered to post 232 for nine from their allotted 50 overs with Angelo Mathew getting 43, Kumar Sangakkara 36, Mahela Jayawardene 33 and Muralitharan 32.



Mohammad Aamer took most wickets for Pakistan with three for 45, supported by Abdul Razzaq two for 33.



The second game of the series will be played at the same venue on Saturday.



Pakistan are yet to win a game on the tour after losing the Test series 2-0.



In the meantime, Muralitharan says he plans to retire from test cricket after next year\'s series against the West Indies.



Muralitharan says he will continue to play one-day and 20/20 internationals for several more years.



Muralitharan made his test debut in 1992 and became the highest wicket taker in tests when he broke Australian Shane Warne\'s record haul of 708 wickets in 2007.



He has so far picked up 770 Test wickets in 127 matches at 22 runs per wicket and could become the first player to claim 800 wickets in tests.