Captain Shoaib Malik was the hero as Pakistan eked out a three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Twenty20 quadrangular series in Canada.

The game in King City was in the balance with Pakistan needing 13 from the final over but Malik held his nerve to guide his side home with a four off the penultimate ball.

Sri Lanka will rue not making more than 137 for nine from their 20 overs, Tillakaratne Dilshan's side wasting a promising start by losing a rash of wickets in the closing overs.

Jehan Mubarak was their top scorer with 39 while Chamara Kapugedera (27) and Kaushalya Weeraratne (20 not out) also made useful contributions.

Malik's 42 not out led the chase with his eighth-wicket partnership with Fawad Alam, who also hit a six in the final over as part of his unbeaten 23, proving decisive.