http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 vs Kenya - Akmal Brothers shine as Pakistan posts 317 against Kenya - ICC World Cup 2011
Pakistan posted a large score of 317 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 against Kenya at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kenya-c752 is playing their fifth straight
World Cup but interestingly both these teams are meeting in a World Cup match for the first time.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 won the toss and elected to bat first, however Pakistan was off to the worst possible start as both the openers were sent back to the pavilion with only 12 runs on the board. Both Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shahzad were dismissed softly, which
would be a huge concern for Waqar Younis and Shahid Afridi. Kamran Akmal and Younis Khan took control of the situation after the departure of the openers and made sure that the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Green-c60723 Shirts did not face any more hiccups. Senior players, Akmal and Younis, scored
98 runs for the third wicket partnership.
Misbah ul Haq carried on with his amazing form and scored 65 runs off 69 balls with the help of a four and couple of sixes. However the star-of-the-show for Pakistan was Umar Akmal who smashed a brilliant 71 off only 52 deliveries and struck eight boundaries
and a massive six over extra-cover. He scored 118 runs with Misbah for the fifth wicket partnership which gave the much needed momentum to the Pakistan side. One of the major positives for Pakistan was the knock of Umar Akmal. He has been out of form off-late
and Pakistan desperately needed him to find his rhythm before the crunch matches. His brother Kamran and Younis Khan also scored half-centuries to help their team’s cause.
Kenya’s bowling performance was quite poor after the initial eight overs and no Kenyan bowler was able to make http://www.senore.com/Cricket/A-Dent-c41093 on the Pakistani battin line-up. They conceded 46 extra runs including 37 wides.
This is a huge score for Kenya to chase under lights, especially considering their performance in their first match of the ICC World Cup 2011against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754, where they were dismissed for a mere 69. This provides an ideal opportunity to the Pakistani
bowlers to find their rhythm before their all-important fixture against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 on Saturday. This should also provide Pakistan’s management an opportunity to test the fitness of Shoaib Akhtar.
More updates coming after the start of the second innings.
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