Pakistan pull off 317-7 after disastrous start

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]






HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan made 317 runs for the loss of seven wickets after a disastrous start in Group A match of the ICC World Cup 2011 here at the Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium on Wednesday.

After captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and decided to bat, Pakistan made a disastrous start losing both their openers for only 12 runs in seven overs.

Kenyan opening bowlers dominated the scene in early overs to keep Pakistan in pressure.
First, Elijah Otieno removed Mohammad Hafeez, caught by Waters for nine when Pakistan were 11 on the board and in the next over, Thomas Odoyo dismissed Ahmed Shahzad for one.

Then, wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal and veteran batsman Younis Khan came together took Pakistan out of trouble. They added 98 runs before Kamran went after completing his seventh ODI fifty.

Kamran made 55 and Younis scored 50, his 40th ODI fifty, before being trapped lbw by Steve Tikolo.

Later, Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal came together and accelerated the run rate. Both added 118 runs for the fifth wicket.

Misbah departed after scoring 65 from 69 balls with two sixes. This was his 13th ODI half-century.

Umar Akmal also reached his seventh ODI fifty and made 71 off 52 balls with eight fours and a six.

This was the fourth half century in Pakistan innings.

Afridi made just seven runs and was dismissed lbw by Odoyo who was the most successful bowler with three wickets.

In Group A, all teams except Pakistan have so far played one match each as Pakistan are going to play their first match in the tournament today.

Pakistan chose left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman in addition to their three-man seam attack of Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq.

Kenya, who crashed to New Zealand in their first match by 10 wickets after being shot out for 69 on Sunday, left out opener Alex Obanda and brought in Tanmay Mishar as the only change in their side.