Whatever Pakistan had planned for Ajantha Mendis, it worked in the first ODI at the National Stadium in Karachi

Is it sacrilegious to suggest that what Pakistan needs more of is a Rao Iftikhar Anjum and less of the flash that we've become accustomed to? Rao is as far removed from the bling of Pakistan's pace lineage as is possible.

Match home for the first ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka played in Karachi

A country starved of international cricket for over six months celebrated with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka to take a 1-0 lead in the series, thanks to the efforts of Salman Butt and Khurram Manzoor, who made light work of a target