Colombo, Feb 26, (PRINTWORDS NEWS) Guided by Misbah Ul Haq’s solid knock and Younis Khan’s brave strokeplay, Pakistan set up a target of 278 against the co-host Sri Lanka in world cup Group A match on Saturday.

Batting first, Pakistani openers went off to a flying start scoring at about six runs per over till they stumbled after losing three quick wickets in a short span of time. Mohammad Hafeez, who looked in a blistering form, made a fool out of himself after a misunderstanding with Kamran Akmal cost his wicket. SriLankans on the other hand guided by veteran spinner Muttiah Muralitharan showed maturity and restricted the unpredictable Pakistani’s within the 300 score mark. Pakistan ended up scoring 277 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their full quota of fifty overs.

Veteran batsman and former Pakistan skipper Younis Khan along with Misbah-ul-Haq consolidated the innings with Younis Khan scoring a defiant 72 off 76 balls. Misbah-ul-Haq remained unbeaten at 83 off 91 balls, an innings that was embellished with brilliant stroke play and maturity.

Pakistan felt the heat as soon as world’s highest wicket taker, Muttiah Muralitharan, was introduced in the attack. Muralitharan’s spot on deliveries cramped up the Pakistani batsmen and even forced them to commit errors that cost them dearly. Rangana Herath was the most successful SriLankan bowler claiming a couple of wickets.

Sri Lanka will now have to chase down a target of 278 against a fiery Pakistan pace attack. With Shoaib Akhtar trying to prove a point in what is possibly his last world cup, the Pakistani’s are charged up and raring to go. An adrenaline gushing match ahead!

No related posts.