Shoaib Akhtar's return to international cricket was soured as he conceded 40 runs in just three overs to help Sri Lanka to victory.

Shoaib had not played for his country at all in 2008 before this brief four-day tournament as his controversial career stalled under the shadow of a dispute with the Pakistan Cricket Board.

But after helping Pakistan go undefeated through the preliminary stages of the tournament, Shoaib was helpless to stop Sri Lanka chasing down Pakistan's 132 for seven with an over to spare.

Veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya handed out the majority of the punishment in his 34-ball 40.

The left-hander hit Shoaib over the fence from consecutive deliveries to end the third over as he and fellow opener, Mahela Udawatte (25), shared a match-winning 66-run stand from the first seven overs.

From there on the Sri Lankans never looked likely to fall short of their target, and despite Pakistan's slow bowlers curtailing the scoring rate in the middle overs, they fell to defeat.

Earlier, Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis continued his impressive start to life as an international cricketer in claiming three for 23 from his four overs.

Mendis, who only made his Sri Lanka debut in April, claimed the wickets of Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik (19), Salman Butt (44) and Kamran Akmal (12) to help restrict Pakistan to a below-par score.