World Cup 2011 – Match Report: Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Group A, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, 26 February 2011
It was a much awaited high intensity clash between a hot favorite and a would-be dark horse. In front of a bustling capacity crowd Pakistan toppled Sri Lanka to announce that they are almost back to their best. It could have been a resounding win had their fielders not tried their best to gift the match to the home team.
Knowing Pakistan’s weakness against left arm spin, Sri Lanka brought in Rangana Herath in place of Ajantha Mendis while Lasith Malinga continued to sit out due to injury. Pakistan, as expected, went in with unchanged team. Afridi opted to bat after winning the toss.
Two senior batsmen, Younis and Misbah, played their roles expertly for Pakistan in the middle overs to set an ideal stage for the death over onslaught. But the trio of Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq could not make use of the batting powerplay which was taken after 43 overs. At one stage Pakistan looked like to cross 300 comfortably but they could collect only 68 runs in the last 10 overs.
Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad had no trouble against the opening bowlers but Shehzad in a moment of indiscretion lost his wicket when he nicked behind Thisara Perera in the 6th over. Hafeez and Kamran Akmal both played fluently and took the score to 76 without any fuss. Hafeez hit some delightful shots including a bent-knee six over square leg off Kulasekara. They both could not convert their starts into meaningful innings. After Hafeez was run out as a result of a horrible mix up for 32, Kamran came down aimlessly for a crazy swipe and got stumped off Herath for 48-ball 39.
Misbah and Younis used their experience and milked the bowling so efficiently that it reminded every one of Miandad-Salim Malik-Imran Khan combination of the eighties. They did not let the scoring rate go down although the ball crossed the boundary occasionally in their partnership of 108 runs in just over 20 overs. Younis, who was most fluent of the two, got out first, top-edging a sweep off Herath to fine leg. He made 72 off 76 balls with 4 fours.
With Misbah having crossed his fifty and Umar Akmal fresh in the crease, Pakistan took the batting powerplay in the 44th over. Apart from Kulasekara’s one over which went for 11 runs, the BBB yielded only 36 runs. Umar wasted vital deliveries as he neither rotated the strike nor could he hit the ropes. He was moving in the crease too much without coming in line or in a position to hit the ball. Misbah too was unable to break free. Murali accounted for Umar and although Afridi and Misbah hit a few boundaries, Pakistan ended the innings at 277/7, at least 20 runs short of the projected total. Misbah remained not out on 83 (91 balls, 6 fours). For Sri Lanka Herath was the best bowler with figures of 2 for 46 in 10 overs. Murali gave away only 35 runs for his one wicket. It was a total which both the captains wished for at the toss but Sri Lankans were more confident at the half way stage, especially after squeezing Pakistan in the last 10 overs.
Upul Tharanga and Dilshan gave a solid start of 76 runs. Abdul Razzaq and Shoaib Akhtar bowled well but could not get early breakthrough. Umar Gull was dispatched to the ropes on several occasions by elegant Tharanga and wristy Dilshan as he proved expensive with the semi-new ball. Pakistan missed and easy run out when Abdul could not collect a throw with Tharanga well short of the crease. It was Hafeez who broke the partnership as he got Tharanga for 33 (43 balls, 6 fours). Afridi dived forward to take the catch at mid-off. A few overs later, Afridi was into his familiar jubilation pose when he nailed Dilshan with a straighter one which he cut onto his stumps. He was looking good for his 41 off 55 balls but his departure brought life into Pakistan bowlers. Mahela Jayawerdene was clean-bowled by Shoaib Akhtar who was intelligently brought back by Afridi. Next over Afridi struck again when Thilan Samaraweera was stumped by Kamran. Pakistan in a matter of few overs ware all over Sri Lanka who were reeling at 96 for 4 in the 22nd over.
Kumar Sangakkara and Chamara Silva associated themselves for re-building the innings and went about the things quietly. The asking rate mounted up as Afridi and Abdur Rehman squeezed the scoring appreciably. Pakistan had a chance to bury Sri Lanka completely but Kamran let Sangakkara off by missing an easy stumping off Abdur when he was on 22. In the last 20 overs, they required to score at almost 8 an over. Hence they took BPP after 33 overs (with the score on 134/4) to try to come back into the game. It was a wise and timely move.
Kamran, the biggest chink in Pakistan’s fielding, missed another easy stumping when Sangakkara came dancing down the pitch to hit Abdur Rehman over the square. Next over Abdur Rehman himself dropped a sitter at mid wicket when Silva aimlessly pulled Umar Gul. Pakistan through their fielding were trying their best to help Sri Lanka come back into the game. And they responded. Sanga hit Gul over third man for a stunning six in the same over but fell to Afridi trying to hit another six. His wicket was crucial at that stage for Pakistan. Although he made 49 (61 balls, 2 fours, 1 six) but it was not enough under the circumstances. He became Afridi’s 3ooth ODI wicket.
As Pakistan missed two more run out chances, Sri Lanka almost threatened to steal the show through Silva who was plying woefully until then. He hit a few lusty fours although Pakistan kept striking regularly. Angelo Mathews became Afridi’s 4th victim while Perera was castled by Shoaib after surviving another dropped chance. Finally Kamran succeeded in making a stumping when Silva was undone by Abdur Rehman who bowled a wide on off-stump seeing the batsmen dancing down the pitch. He top scored with 57 but he consumed 78 deliveries which was not an ideal effort for his team. Kulasekara threw his bat around and kept the remote possibility of a win alive. After being dropped by the bowler, he hit Hafeez for a six on the last ball of 49th over. With 18 required off the last over, Gul removed Kula on the penultimate delivery. They could make 266 for 9 only as Pakistan won by 11 runs.
Man of the match Afridi took 4 for 34, a brilliant bowling effort again. Shoaib too bowled well for his 2 for 42. This close and exciting game has lit up the World Cup. Although Sri Lanka bowled well in the death overs, they were clearly out-played by Pakistan in all departments of the game except fielding.
Match Result: Pakistan 277/7 (Misbah 83*, Younis 72; Herath 2/46) beat Sri Lanka 266/9 (Chamara Silva 57, Sangakkara 49; Afridi 4/34, Shoaib 2/42) by 11 runs
Man of the match: Shahid Afridi
It was a much awaited high intensity clash between a hot favorite and a would-be dark horse. In front of a bustling capacity crowd Pakistan toppled Sri Lanka to announce that they are almost back to their best. It could have been a resounding win had their fielders not tried their best to gift the match to the home team.
Knowing Pakistan’s weakness against left arm spin, Sri Lanka brought in Rangana Herath in place of Ajantha Mendis while Lasith Malinga continued to sit out due to injury. Pakistan, as expected, went in with unchanged team. Afridi opted to bat after winning the toss.
Two senior batsmen, Younis and Misbah, played their roles expertly for Pakistan in the middle overs to set an ideal stage for the death over onslaught. But the trio of Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq could not make use of the batting powerplay which was taken after 43 overs. At one stage Pakistan looked like to cross 300 comfortably but they could collect only 68 runs in the last 10 overs.
Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad had no trouble against the opening bowlers but Shehzad in a moment of indiscretion lost his wicket when he nicked behind Thisara Perera in the 6th over. Hafeez and Kamran Akmal both played fluently and took the score to 76 without any fuss. Hafeez hit some delightful shots including a bent-knee six over square leg off Kulasekara. They both could not convert their starts into meaningful innings. After Hafeez was run out as a result of a horrible mix up for 32, Kamran came down aimlessly for a crazy swipe and got stumped off Herath for 48-ball 39.
Misbah and Younis used their experience and milked the bowling so efficiently that it reminded every one of Miandad-Salim Malik-Imran Khan combination of the eighties. They did not let the scoring rate go down although the ball crossed the boundary occasionally in their partnership of 108 runs in just over 20 overs. Younis, who was most fluent of the two, got out first, top-edging a sweep off Herath to fine leg. He made 72 off 76 balls with 4 fours.
With Misbah having crossed his fifty and Umar Akmal fresh in the crease, Pakistan took the batting powerplay in the 44th over. Apart from Kulasekara’s one over which went for 11 runs, the BBB yielded only 36 runs. Umar wasted vital deliveries as he neither rotated the strike nor could he hit the ropes. He was moving in the crease too much without coming in line or in a position to hit the ball. Misbah too was unable to break free. Murali accounted for Umar and although Afridi and Misbah hit a few boundaries, Pakistan ended the innings at 277/7, at least 20 runs short of the projected total. Misbah remained not out on 83 (91 balls, 6 fours). For Sri Lanka Herath was the best bowler with figures of 2 for 46 in 10 overs. Murali gave away only 35 runs for his one wicket. It was a total which both the captains wished for at the toss but Sri Lankans were more confident at the half way stage, especially after squeezing Pakistan in the last 10 overs.
Upul Tharanga and Dilshan gave a solid start of 76 runs. Abdul Razzaq and Shoaib Akhtar bowled well but could not get early breakthrough. Umar Gull was dispatched to the ropes on several occasions by elegant Tharanga and wristy Dilshan as he proved expensive with the semi-new ball. Pakistan missed and easy run out when Abdul could not collect a throw with Tharanga well short of the crease. It was Hafeez who broke the partnership as he got Tharanga for 33 (43 balls, 6 fours). Afridi dived forward to take the catch at mid-off. A few overs later, Afridi was into his familiar jubilation pose when he nailed Dilshan with a straighter one which he cut onto his stumps. He was looking good for his 41 off 55 balls but his departure brought life into Pakistan bowlers. Mahela Jayawerdene was clean-bowled by Shoaib Akhtar who was intelligently brought back by Afridi. Next over Afridi struck again when Thilan Samaraweera was stumped by Kamran. Pakistan in a matter of few overs ware all over Sri Lanka who were reeling at 96 for 4 in the 22nd over.
Kumar Sangakkara and Chamara Silva associated themselves for re-building the innings and went about the things quietly. The asking rate mounted up as Afridi and Abdur Rehman squeezed the scoring appreciably. Pakistan had a chance to bury Sri Lanka completely but Kamran let Sangakkara off by missing an easy stumping off Abdur when he was on 22. In the last 20 overs, they required to score at almost 8 an over. Hence they took BPP after 33 overs (with the score on 134/4) to try to come back into the game. It was a wise and timely move.
Kamran, the biggest chink in Pakistan’s fielding, missed another easy stumping when Sangakkara came dancing down the pitch to hit Abdur Rehman over the square. Next over Abdur Rehman himself dropped a sitter at mid wicket when Silva aimlessly pulled Umar Gul. Pakistan through their fielding were trying their best to help Sri Lanka come back into the game. And they responded. Sanga hit Gul over third man for a stunning six in the same over but fell to Afridi trying to hit another six. His wicket was crucial at that stage for Pakistan. Although he made 49 (61 balls, 2 fours, 1 six) but it was not enough under the circumstances. He became Afridi’s 3ooth ODI wicket.
As Pakistan missed two more run out chances, Sri Lanka almost threatened to steal the show through Silva who was plying woefully until then. He hit a few lusty fours although Pakistan kept striking regularly. Angelo Mathews became Afridi’s 4th victim while Perera was castled by Shoaib after surviving another dropped chance. Finally Kamran succeeded in making a stumping when Silva was undone by Abdur Rehman who bowled a wide on off-stump seeing the batsmen dancing down the pitch. He top scored with 57 but he consumed 78 deliveries which was not an ideal effort for his team. Kulasekara threw his bat around and kept the remote possibility of a win alive. After being dropped by the bowler, he hit Hafeez for a six on the last ball of 49th over. With 18 required off the last over, Gul removed Kula on the penultimate delivery. They could make 266 for 9 only as Pakistan won by 11 runs.
Man of the match Afridi took 4 for 34, a brilliant bowling effort again. Shoaib too bowled well for his 2 for 42. This close and exciting game has lit up the World Cup. Although Sri Lanka bowled well in the death overs, they were clearly out-played by Pakistan in all departments of the game except fielding.
Match Result: Pakistan 277/7 (Misbah 83*, Younis 72; Herath 2/46) beat Sri Lanka 266/9 (Chamara Silva 57, Sangakkara 49; Afridi 4/34, Shoaib 2/42) by 11 runs
Man of the match: Shahid Afridi
Published in SportPulse.net
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