http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 vs. India: second innings – 0 to 15-overs report – ICC World Cup semi-final
After a nervous start, the Pakistani bowlers recovered well and managed to restrict the Indian side to 260 runs after some inspirational bowling by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wahab-Riaz-c95839. The required run rate was slightly on the high side at 5.22 runs per over, but it was still achievable.
Pakistan looked to their openers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 started their innings Pakistan were on the attack from the
word go.
Kamran Akmal hit Zaheer Khan for two fours in the first over as Pakistan showed their intentions. Akmal’s partner Muhammad Hafeez was playing the supporting role, as he focused more on rotating the strike, though that did not stop him from putting the odd
loose ball away.
There was some tension when Nehra managed to get a hand to Hafeez’s shot and the ball went on to hit the stumps at the bowler’s end and questions were raised, as to whether Akmal had his bat behind the crease or not. The third umpire was brought into action
and the decision was a reliving not out for the Pakistanis.
Khan’s persistence paid off though, as he forced Akmal to play away from his body. The loose shot had the ball in the air long enough for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yuvraj-Singh-c98364 to take an easy catch at point. Akmal departed for 19 runs after a soft dismissal.
Asad Shafiq was the next man in for the Pakistani’s, as they looked to maintain their pressure on India, who tried to change things up by bringing Munaf Patel and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Harbhajan-Singh-c61453 into the bowling attack. Hafeez continued to play his strokes despite the change,
as Pakistan seemed to be doing well.
Pakistan had another close shave in the 11th over when Harbhajan Singh almost caught Muhammad Hafeez off his own bowling. The bowler’s effort has to be commended though the ball fell just short.
By the end of the 15th over, Pakistan was in a good position at 70 runs for the loss of only one wicket. Muhammad Hafeez was closing in on his half century at 43 runs and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Asad-Shafiq-c46208 looked comfortable for his eight runs.
The run rate was on Pakistan’s side as well as they were going at a steady 5.45 runs per over, well above the 4.66 required run rate.
Tags: