Shahid Afridi led from the front as Pakistan secured a 52-run victory in the one-off T20 international against Sri Lanka.

Afridi hit 50 off just 37 deliveries and put on 66 for the fourth wicket with Umar Akmal (30) to lead his team to a challenging 172 for five.

Saeed Ajmal and Naved-ul Hasan then shared six wickets between them as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 120 in 18.1 overs.

It's all about numbers

Sanath Jayasuriya (23) and Mahela Udawatte (11) began the chase confidently, putting on 39 for the opening wicket, but the two were dismissed within the space of three deliveries as Sri Lanka lost impetus.

Udawatte was trapped in front by Naved, while Jayasuriya miscued a pull to deep square leg off Mohammad Aamer to leave Sri Lanka in trouble.

Mahela Jayawardene (12) and captain Kumar Sangakkara took up the task of rebuilding the innings and appeared in a position to regain control before Jayawardene fell to Ifthikar Anjum.

Sangakkara was bowled for a fighting 38 off an inside edge by Saeed Ajmal and when Angelo Mathews and Thilina Kandamby both fell cheaply in the 16th over, it was pretty much game over for the Sri Lankans.

Off-spinner Ajmal finished with three for 18 from four overs, while Naved claimed three for 19 from 3.1 overs.

Earlier, Nuwan Kulasekara had given the home side a fine start, rattling Kamran Akmal's stumps with the very first delivery with the new ball.

Kamran had attempted a huge heave but missed completely and was bowled through the gate.

Thilan Thushara, who shared the new ball, should have had similar early success, but instead Lasith Malinga grassed Imran Nazir while the batsman was on five and the reprieve helped the visitors explode off the blocks.

Shoaib Malik, Kamran's replacement, thumped Thushara for three consecutive boundaries, the bowler conceding a total of 17 from his first over.

The pair put on 35 for the second wicket in quick time when Malinga made amends for his earlier lapse by bowling Malik (14).

Nazir had another reprieve on 33 when an edge went straight to Sangakkara only for umpire Tyron Wijewardene to erroneously turn down the appeal, but Thushara eventually snared the batsman for 40.

Top Performer: Shahid Afridi

 Afridi then took charge and together with Umar put Sri Lanka's attack to the sword.

Afridi, who uncharacteristically needed four deliveries to get off the mark, brought up Pakistan's century inside the 13th over as the visitors accelerated nicely.

Umar then perished while attempting a scoop over Sangakkara, while Afridi achieved his half-century - his third in this format - off just 35 deliveries only to fall immediately after, holing out to long-off.

Abdul Razzaq chipped in with an unbeaten 25 at the end as Pakistan finished at a canter.