Pakistan shocks Sri Lanka

SANJAY GOEL
Correspondent | Thursday November 4, 2010 00:00

Pakistan made the most of their available resources. After captain Manzoor Hussein won the toss and elected to bat, Shah Baz Ali and Ejaz Ali put up a confident start. The two cruised to 49-2 after 10 overs brightening Pakistan's hopes for a 150+ score in the allocated 30 overs.

Although wickets fell at regular intervals, the Pakistan score moved to 96-4 in 20 overs, Aqlaq Raja having spooned a catch to Indika Parera off Sri Lankan captain Shahnaz Raheem for a well- made 34 off 32 balls.

A further collapse left the Pakistan bench scratching their heads as they slumped to 137-8. However fast bowler Zain Abbasi and Nadeem Ahmed took the new ball and bowled with fire. In his second over, Ahmend removed Najaz caught behind for seven and in his fourth, he bowled a Shoiab Akhtar style yorker to get rid of Sri Lankan player for a duck. Meanwhile, Shah Baz Ali had clean bowled Perera for one, sending Sri Lanka reeling at 40-3.At the other end, the elegant left-hander Dinesh Perera, was batting with responsibility. He put up a 22 run partnership with captain Shahnaz.

However, with the Sri Lankan score at 62, Abdul Mateen got rid of Perera for 21 off 31 balls. Shanawaz Jabir joined the captain and the two batsmen put their heads down and batted responsibly. At the drinks interval after 15 overs, the score was 79-4. However soon after, Shanawaz committed hara-kiri and spooned a simple catch to Aqlaq Raja off Abdul Mateen Khan. Sri Lanka were 85-5 and Pakistan started sensing victory.

Namal Bandara hit a glorious boundary at deep mid-wicket to keep Sri Lankan hopes alive. They continued to bat with vigour punishing the loose balls. Needing 39 runs to win off the last four overs with only 2 wickets in hand, Sri Lanka fell short of the target by 12 runs. Zain Abbasi was judged the Man of the Match for his brilliant 31 and tight bowling.

Match summary:Pakistan: 169/9 (30 overs)Sri Lanka: 157/9 (30 overs)Sri Lanka won by 12 runs.Man of the Match: Zain Abbasi (Pakistan).