Saeed Ajmal’s five wicket burst helped Pakistan to script comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second match at Dubai on Saturday to grab 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Capitalizing the seaming-and-turning conditions of Dubai International Stadium track, the 34-year-old off-spinner claimed 5-64 as Sri Lanka were bundled out for 257, setting the target of 94 runs for opposition.

Scampering towards diminutive target, opener Mohammad Hafeez (59 not out) and Azhar Ali (29 not out) put on unconquered 80 for second wicket to finish the game with more the one day to spare.

Pakistan lost opener Taufeeq Umar (1) early in run chase, who was unable to judge spinner Rangana Hearth’s low-pitched swinging delivery which scolded his stumps.

Pakistan VS Sri Lanka: Hafeez slammed two sixes, four boundaries

Hafeez was significantly looking in hostile touch. He slammed twice towering sixes and four boundaries in his 64-ball knock.

Earlier, resuming the innings at 88-1 on penultimate day, ultra-cautious Sri Lanka were anticipated to calm down the equilibrium of game but Pakistan dismissed their batting mainstays Kumar Sangakkara (30), Mahela Jayawardene (5) and captain Tillakaratne Dilshan (3) in the morning session to reclaim their ascendancy.

Sangakkara, who scored double-ton to help his side draw the first Test in Abu Dhabi, put on 73 for the second wicket with Tharanga Paranavitana (72) before plumbing lbw to left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman. Soon after, Ajmal plunked the stumps Mahela Jayawardene for 5

Dilshan continued his below-par form and departed to pavilion in the punishment of receiving seamer Junaid Khan’s delivery on his pads in front of middle stump.

Ajmal struck almost instantly after lunch to claim the precious wicket of Paranavitana, snapped by Younis Khan at gully, to cripple Sri Lanka batting.

Pakistan VS Sri Lanka: Mathews, Parsad added 56 runs

The back-to-back dismissals forced Angelo Mathews (52 not out) and Prasad (33) to shoulder the obligation and they did so by adding 56 for the seventh wicket to take the lead closer to the 100-run mark.

But after Rehman uprooted the stumps of Prasad there was no big obstacle in Pakistan’s victory march and Herath (15), Chanaka Welegedara (8), Suranga Lakmal (4) meekly handed scalps to Ajmal.

The final match of the series is scheduled at Sharjah from November 3.

Pakistan VS Sri Lanka 2nd Test Scorecard