Pakistan's spinners came to their rescue as they restricted Sri Lanka to 150 for seven in their World Twenty20 Super Eights opener at Lord's here on Friday.

Sri Lanka were 81 without loss before leg-spinner Shahid Afridi (two wickets for 23 runs off four overs), took two for three in six balls to reduce them to 89 for two.

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal (two for 26) took the key wickets of Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, stumped by Kamran Akmal, and Mahela Jayawardene, caught in the covers by Afridi.

Ajmal's double strike helped see Sri Lanka, 65 without loss at the end of the powerplay, slump to 132 for five in the 18th over.

"Sri Lanka played well in the first eight overs and the spinners were our last chance," said Afridi.

"Myself and Ajmal bowled well. I have worked hard on my bowling over the last two, three years. I started my career as a bowler and I want to continue like that."

Openers Tillekaratne Dilshan (46) and Sanath Jayasuriya (26), aided by wayward pace bowling, got Sri Lanka off to a flyer before they fell to Afridi. Left-arm fast bowler Sohail Tanvir endured a nightmare start as he conceded 29 runs, including six wides and three no-balls, in his two overs.

Jayasuriya pulled paceman Mohammad Amir for six before Dilshan played his trademark scoop shot over his head for four.

But Jayasuriya miscued a sweep to Pakistan captain Younus Khan and Dilshan was bowled trying to cut, having faced 39 balls with eight fours.

(Article: Copyright © 2009 AFP)