Pakistan captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi is relieved after his team scraped through to a thrilling 11 run win over co-hosts and one of the main title contenders Sri Lanka, to stake their claim for the biggest prize in the One Day International format.
Pakistan team pulled off an all round effort to post a score of 277 runs, batting first in good conditions. They carried on the momentum to restrict the free flowing hosts to 266 for 9.
Afridi described the win as ‘a very big one’, but was quick to criticise his team’s shambolic fielding performance during the crucial match. With his eyes set on the World Cup crown, he demanded an improvement from his colleagues.
“I think when we go ahead in this tournament our destination will get tougher and tougher and if we commit the same mistakes, then we will return to Pakistan very soon. We must improve,” he warned.
Pakistan was served brilliantly be their seasoned batting duo of Younis Khan ans Misbah Ul Haq who came together after the men in green had lost their first three wickets with 105 runs on the board. The two old pros batted with great deal of determination, skill and common sense rotating the strike and hitting the odd boundary in their 108 runs stand for the 4th wicket.
A blip at the end of the innings which included a three boundaries cameo by Afridi himself helped http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 set the stiffest chase for an opposition at the historic venue which has staged more than 70 ODIs.
Afridi was mighty pleased with their effort stating that they took the responsibility brilliantly and guided the team around in a tough situation to propel them to a winning score.
He was also glad with the work of the aging Shoaib Akhtar who took 2 wickets including the prized scalp of Mahela Jayawardene with an unplayable in-swinger that crashed his middle peg.
“I'm happy that seniors have taken responsibility,” he said. “Younis and Misbah are the backbone of the team, and it's important that the captain performs well as it sets an example for others,” Afridi said.
Afridi warned his troops not to be complacent as there was lot of work needed before the team is guaranteed a spot in the knock-out rounds.
They next face minnows http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045.
The men in green end their group stage with a clash against the mighty Australians at the Premadasa on the 19th of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/March-c74391.
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