http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 on slow Sharjah pitch - Match Update
The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482-led Pakistan batting line-up has set a target of 201 for Sri Lanka in the fourth One Day International of the five-match series, underway at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, November 20, 2011.
On a day when the whole Pakistan batting line-up looked off colour, it was the belligerent Shahid Afridi who played a cautious knock of 75 runs to help Pakistan set a respectable total of 200 before the whole team was rolled over in 49.3 overs.
Pakistan captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972 won the toss and opted to bat first on the traditionally batting friendly Sharjah wicket; however, the track proved to be flatter than anticipated, and the Pakistan top order struggled against the Sri Lankan spinners.
Pakistan’s opening duo of Hafeez and Farhat failed to provide the side a steady start as the latter departed in the seventh over with only 18 on the board. Fernando was the man to claim Farhat’s wicket as Sangakkara caught him behind the wickets.
Younis Khan and Hafeez added 39 runs to the scorecard before Pakistan lost its second wicket in the 16th, over as Hafeez was caught by Chandimal off Prasanna, at square leg. The next 12 overs saw Pakistan losing four wickets for 40 runs before
Afridi took the charge.
Afridi played a cautious innings, hitting two boundaries and two sixes to complete his 32nd ODI half century. Afridi plundered two boundaries and a six in an over off Prasanna that went for 19, to take the side to 178 for 7 from 120 for 7. Boom Boom Afridi
was caught behind off Thisara Perera on the last ball of the 44th over to leave Pakistan 181 for 8.
Fernando claimed three wickets, while Jeevan Mendis and Prasanna shared two wickets apiece.
Whilst Sri Lanka played an unchanged squad from Friday’s game, Pakistan made two changes, bringing in former skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sohail-Tanvir-c90665.
Pakistan (Playing XI): http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Gul-c94604, Aizaz Cheema
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CRD-Fernando-c1292
Umpires RK Illingworth (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zameer-Haider-c98559 (Pakistan)
TV umpire M Erasmus (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757)
Match referee http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045)
Reserve umpire http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ahsan-Raza-c42378 (Pakistan)
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