Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews once again led the way as his side crushed Pakistan by 77 runs to level the one-day international series in Hambantota.

Mathews, who has enjoyed a stellar spike in form in both Test and limited-overs cricket since becoming skipper, hit 93 as his side posted 310 for nine in their 50 overs.

Mathews was ably supported by Mahela Jayawardene's 67 and 65 from Thisara Perera, who ensured man-of-the-match honours with three for 19.

Pakistan made a blistering start to their chase, reaching 100 for one in just 13 overs only to subside for 233 all out.

Sri Lanka, having chosen to bat first, were reduced to 62 for three inside 11 overs.

Tillakaratne Dilshan hit three of his 10 balls for four before a debatable caught behind decision in Junaid Khan's favour, before Wahab Riaz accounted for Kumar Sangakkara (11) and Upul Tharanga (27) in successive overs.

That brought Jayawardene and Mathews together and the pair did the heavy lifting in the middle part of the innings, putting on 122 in just under 24 overs.

Jayawardene fell to an injudicious stroke against Mohammad Hafeez, who followed with the scalps of Seekkuge Prasanna and Ashan Priyanjan, but Mathews continued to impress.

Mathews had reached 93 without giving a chance when he sprayed Wahab straight to Hafeez at midwicket, kicking the turf after taking his ODI tally to 22 fifties but no centuries.

Perera continued the fight, finishing with four sixes and five fours before a last-over run out.

Sharjeel Khan made nine at the head of the tourists' reply before being ousted by Lasith Malinga, only for Ahmed Shehzad and Hafeez to embark on a thrilling attack, sharing a stand of 96 at better than six-and-a-half runs per over.

Prasanna got the much-needed breakthrough, Hafeez playing down the wrong line to go lbw having made 62 in just 49 deliveries.

Umar Akmal lasted just three balls before nicking Dilshan behind and when Prasanna returned to dismiss Shehzad for 56 the momentum was all Sri Lanka's.

From 147 for four, Pakistan lost their next six wickets for 86 runs.

Perera's impressive all-round display saw him pick up Fawad Alam, Shahid Afridi and Riaz, with two wickets for Rangana Herath and a second from Malinga to wrap it up.