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Sri Lanka's bowlers engineered a dramatic Pakistan batting collapse to clinch a 50-run victory on the fourth day of the opening Test in Galle.

Pakistan resumed the day on 71 for two, needing just 97 runs with eight wickets remaining to win the opener of the three-match series, but wickets tumbled from early in the morning session and the tourists were bowled out for 117 in less than 45 overs.

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who was rushed into the contest from the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire League after an injury to Muttiah Muralitharan, sparked the collapse with the wickets of Mohammad Yousuf (12) and Salman Butt (28).

Herath was Pakistan's chief tormentor, showing plenty of guile to claim impressive figures of 4-15 from 11.3 overs.

Yousuf, Pakistan's first-innings top scorer with 112, was the first man to go when he was trapped lbw with a well-disguised arm ball and Butt self-destructed with a wild slog-sweep that was caught at deep square leg.

Left-arm fast bowler Thilan Thushara, a controversial pick ahead of veteran Chaminda Vaas, vindicated his selection when he had former captain Shoaib Malik caught behind for a duck to leave Pakistan in disarray on 72-5.

Thushara, getting the ball to swing both ways, followed up with an inswinger to trap wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal lbw for six.

Sri Lanka keeper Tillakaratne Dilshan then seized on some clumsy calling to run out Misbah-ul-Haq for six shortly after an appeal for leg before was turned down.

Spinner Ajantha Mendis made an instant impact, bowling Umar Gul for nine with a fizzing leg-cutter.

Abdur Rauf and Mohammad Aamer threatened to stall the home side's victory charge with a partnership of 15 for the ninth wicket, but Herath deceived the latter with an arm ball soon after being called back for a second spell.

Herath then wrapped up victory just before the scheduled lunch break when he got Rauf to edge to Jayawardene at slip.

Mendis finished with 2-27 from 10 overs and Thushara chipped in with 2-21 from 12 overs.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara praised his bowlers after the team's dramatic win.

"We knew if we were to have a chance then the first 5-6 overs were going to be crucial and that we needed two or three wickets, but we never expected it to happen so quickly," Sangakkara said.

"Until today, Pakistan outplayed us but this morning we really showed a lot of heart and character.

"The way Rangana and Thilan bowled was spot on... they put the balls in the right area they were patient and worked hard for their wickets.

"It is an inexperienced attack but also a fresh attack where the lack of experience was made up for by enthusiasm and a real hunger to do well and stay in the side."

Herath felt a positive attitude helped him perform well after receiving a last-minute call-up.

"I was about to go to the gym for some training when I got the call from Sri Lanka Cricket," he revealed.

"That gave me about 36 hours to get into the right mindset to play Test cricket and I came here feeling really positive."

Meanwhile, Pakistan were fined for a slow over-rate during the match with captain Younus Khan deducted 10 percent of his fee while the other members of his team were penalised half that amount after they were ruled to be one over short.

The second Test of the three-match series starts in Colombo on Sunday.

Reuters