Asia Cup 2012: Pakistan V http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 attack restricts Islanders to a paltry 188
Aizaz Cheema returned with figures of 4 for 43 as Pakistan restricted Sri Lanka to a below par total of 188 runs in a crunch match of the Asia Cup, being played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur today, March 15, 2012.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KC-Sangakkara-c1779 and Upul Tharanga made half centuries in a near century stand for the fifth wicket, but with the Lankans losing wickets at regular intervals, the side failed to post a competitive 50-over total in a must-win match
for them. Sangakkara scored a painstaking 71 off 92 balls, while middle-order batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/WU-Tharanga-c2802 returned with a 74-ball 57.
Opting to bat first on a flat Mirpur pitch, the Islanders got off to a quick start with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Aizaz-Cheema-c961’s opening two overs. But the excitement was short-lived as the pacer struck
twice in back to back overs to remove both the openers, before Umer Gul dismissed http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LD-Chandimal-c1831 in the 9th over to leave the Lankans at 47 for 3.
Thirimanne failed to deliver as well and was caught by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Akmal-c94595 off rookie Pakistani pacer Hammad Azam at 7. At 65 for 4, the Islanders were shouting out for a big partnership and their plea was answered by Kumar Sangakkara and
Upul Tharanga. Both batsmen showed initiative and shared a 96-run stand for the fifth wicket. A lower-order collapse, after Tharanga’s dismissal in the 36th over restricted the Islanders to just 188 in the 46th over.
Despite getting a hammering from Dilshan at the start, Cheema returned as the most successful bowler for the Men in Green with 4 for 43 in his spell of 9 overs. Cheema was well complimented by ace spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Saeed-Ajmal-c87859 who claimed
three wickets and conceded 27 runs in 8.4 overs. Umer Gul finished as the most economical bowler, giving away just 20 runs in his eight overs, which saw him claiming the wickets of Dinesh Chandimal and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KMDN-Kulasekara-c1802.
Pressure will now be on the Sri Lankan bowlers to defend the paltry total to keep their side’s hopes alive for making the tournament's final.
Pakistan playing XI:
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Gul-c94604, Saeed Ajmal, Aizaz Cheema
Sri Lanka Playing XI:
TM Dilshan, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RAS-Lakmal-c2287
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