Angelo Mathews scored his second fifty to guide Sri Lanka to 145-5 in the first Twenty20 international against Pakistan at Dubai stadium on Wednesday.
Sent into bat, Sri Lankan batsmen did not capitalise on the good starts before Mathews (50) and Lahiru Thirimanne (23 not out) added 58 for the fifth wicket stand.
Left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took two wickets each for Pakistan.