Pak vs SL, 2nd ODI,

Chasing a massive target of 291 runs, Pakistan have lost three early wickets in the second one-dayer in Karachi.

Half-centuries from Tillakaratne Dilshan and Thilina Kandamby helped Sri Lanka set Pakistan a testing target of 291 on Wednesday.

Dilshan (76) and Kandamby (59) put on 99 for the third wicket as the tourists turned in a much-improved performance with the bat.

The early wickets of Sanath Jayasuriya (19) and Kumar Sangakkara (16) left Sri Lanka in a familiar backs-to-the-wall state, but Kandamby and Dilshan prevented a collapse.

A cameo from Chamara Kapugedera (44 off 39 deliveries) and a useful 24 from Mahela Jayawardene saw Sri Lanka amass 290 for eight from their 50 overs.

Dilshan again got Sri Lanka off to a bright start in the company of Jayasuriya.

Pakistan's new-ball bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Sohail Tanvir again proved expensive as the Sri Lanka openers put on 43 runs in just under six overs.

Shoaib was hit for four boundaries in his second over and was quickly shunted out of the attack as Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik pressed Umar Gul into service.

Just as he had done yesterday during the hosts' eight-wicket win in the first ODI, Gul again made the breakthrough - although Jayasuriya brought about his own downfall.

The Matara left-hander, playing from deep within the crease, disturbed the off stump with his heel while going back to defend a delivery from Gul.

Gul then ran out Kumar Sangakkara for 16 to leave Sri Lanka on the back foot at 66 for two.

But Kandamby, who was drafted into the side in place of Jehan Mubarak and promoted up the order ahead of the out-of-sorts Jayawardene, looked in fine touch as Sri Lanka worked up some momentum.

Dilshan fell in similar fashion to his dismissal yesterday, mistiming a pull and presenting Shoaib with his first wicket in more than a year, but by then Sri Lanka had a strong platform.

The 26-year-old Kandamby, was dropped on 16 by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, went on to compile a maiden half-century before falling to Iftikhar Anjum.

Gul was the pick of Pakistan's bowlers, finishing with four for 58 from nine overs.

Teams:

Pakistan: Khurram Manzoor, Salman Butt, Younus Khan, Shoaib Malik (C), Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal (W), Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Shoaib Akhtar.

Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara (W), Mahela Jayawardena (C), Chamara Kapugedera, Thilina Kandamby, Farveez Maharoof, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Muttiah Muralidaran, Ajantha Mendis.