centuries from Misbahul Haq and Umar Akmal secured a three-wicket victory for Pakistan over Sri Lanka in the fifth and final One-Day International in Abu Dhabi Wednesday. Pakistan went into the match with the series already in the bag and left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir (4-34) and his bowling colleagues restricted Sri Lanka to 218 for nine to lay the foundation of its third successive victory. Misbah (66) and Akmal (61 not out) returned to make significant contributions with the bat as Pakistan romped home with 16 balls to spare to complete a 4-1 series win. Pakistan had won the preceding three-Test series 1-0. Chasing a modest victory target, Pakistan lost both the openers by the time it had scored the first 51 runs before Misbah added 62 runs with former captain Younis Khan (34) to steady the ship. Leg-spinner Jeevan Mendis (3-36) injected some drama by removing Younis and the scoreless Shoaib Malik with successive deliveries but Misbah's maturity and Akmal's aggression took the game away from Sri Lanka. Akmal hit a boundary to score the winning run and remained not out after a sparkling 60-ball knock. Scores: Sri Lanka 218-9 (K. Sangakkara 78, A. Mathews 61; S. Tanvir 4-34) vs. Pakistan 219-7 (Misbahul Haq 66, Umar Akmal 61 not out; J. Mendis 3-36). Butt, Amir lose appeals Two disgraced Pakistan cricketers lost their appeals against jail sentences Wednesday in one of the sport's biggest fixing scandals. The judge at London's Court of Appeal upheld the prison terms handed to Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir for their role in spot-fixing during a Test between England and Pakistan last year saying they betrayed their team, their country and their sport.
