Cricket LIVE analysis, Pakistan v Sri Lanka- http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 shines as team defeats Sri Lanka
The International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup 2011 finally came alive as cricket enthusiasts witnessed the high-quality of cricket from Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
The tenth match of the World Cup was played between the two teams on 26th
February, 2011 at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The clash of the two sides produced some great cricket at both ends, while a packed enthusiastic crowd witnessed the first “proper” clash between two strong teams in the biggest cricket extravaganza. The Sri Lankan bowling attack was disciplined but
could not stop Pakistan from posting a formidable target, however at the end it was the Men in green that came victorious demonstrating an all-round performance, winning by 11 runs.
If anyone had doubts about http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 to have any shot at winning the World Cup, today their doubts would be put to rest.
Pakistani skipper, Shahid Afridi, won the toss and opted to bat first. The pitch had the ideal conditions for batting at the biggest ground amongst the five venues in the Sri Lankan capital.
The first innings unfolded the best of One Day cricket, there was tense drama with a rapid start, then brain freeze in the middle overs and some fabulous tight bowling in the death overs.
The Pakistani openers, Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez started off brilliantly and aggressively at the beginning. The Sri Lankan had massive support from the home crowd, but the openers seemed undaunted as they reached 28 runs in 5.3 overs.
However, the Lankan pace-man, Thisara Perera took the first wicket and Shehzad was sent back to the pavilion for a mere 13 runs off 23 balls, including two boundaries.
Next up was Hafeez, who was involved in a horrible yet embarrassing run out. Muralitharan was bowling and it was a full on leg stump which swept to short fine leg but a terrible mix-up with Kamran Akmal that forced both the batsmen stranded at one
end. The wayward throw by wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara missed the stumps and for a fleeting moment, Hafeez did not attempt to run back and Murali finally got the bails off. Hafeez scored 32 runs off 31 balls, smashing four boundaries and a six.
However, Kamran Akmal threw his wicket once again when he was stumped by Sangakkara off a Rangana Herath delivery, scoring 39 runs off 48 balls that included five swashbuckling boundaries.
Former captain, Younis Khan was next up who along with vice-captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972 steered the team past the 200 mark. The team needed a revival and the pair added 108 runs for the fourth wicket. Younis reached his highest score in the World Cups, blistering
to 72 off 76 balls, which included four boundaries. Herath broke the partnership in the 41st over as Younis was caught by Mahela Jayawardene.
Misbah scored his runs in singles or doubles, gathering six boundaries to remain unbeaten at 83 off 91 balls. He was supported by Umar Akmal (10 off 15 balls) and Afridi (16 off 12 balls) who hit three fours to set a formidable target of 278 for the
Lankans.
Herath was the star performer, claiming two wickets off 46 balls in his ten overs while Perera took two wickets off 62 balls, whereas legendary spinner Muralitharan and Angelo Mathews took one wicket each.
But the chase had everything in it when Shoaib Akhtar and Afridi inspired the team that they could win, there was a crucial dropped catch and some late fielding messes as well as a sleepy surge by Chamara Silva after a slow start.
The Sri Lankan openers Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan gave their side a confident start, driving the team to 76 runs in 14.2 overs. However, Afridi took a safe catch to dismiss Tharanga’s wicket off Hafeez’ delivery. Tharanga made 33 runs off
43 balls, which included six boundaries.
His opening partner followed soon as Afridi bowled Dilshan out in 18th over. Dilshan made 41 runs off 55 balls, smashing five fours.
Sri Lanka lost the next two wickets in quick succession as Shoaib took Jayawardene’s wicket (2 off 10 balls) and Afridi dismissed Thilan Samaraweera (1 off 4 balls). http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 was reeling on 96 for the loss of four wickets in 21.2 overs.
Captain Sangakkara (49 balls off 61) crossed the 150 mark for his side but walked back to the pavilion as Ahmed Shehzad caught him off Afridi’s ball.
Silva induced some inspiration after a slow start, stroking cautiously to reach the only half-century of his side. He was supported by Mathews (18 off 20 balls) but was caught by Shehzad off Afridi’s delivery again.
Perera soon followed as Shoaib clean bowled him in the 46th over. Younis Khan dropped the ball that was a golden wicket of Silva to seal their win, however in the next ball Kamran stumped him off Abdur Rehman’s delivery. Silva smashed
five boundaries, scoring 57 runs off 78 balls.
Pakistan then showed some indiscipline in fielding in the last five overs, as Sri Lanka came close to 233 for eight in 46th over to 265 for nine by the 50th over.
Afridi was the well-deserved “Man-of-the-match” as he took four wickets off 34 runs in ten overs, while Shoaib took two wickets off 42 runs. Umar Gul, Hafeez and Rehman took one wicket each.
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