HAMBANTOTA – Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi leading from the front took Pakistan to huge victory of 205 runs over Kenya. Afridi claimed 5 wickets for just 16 runs zipping through the Kenyan batsmen. Umar Gul also bowled a good spell for his two wickets. Only bit of resistance was shown by Collins Obuya who scored 47 off 58 balls. Only top four Kenyan batsmen succeeded to get into double figure. Batting tail brutally ripped off by Afridi.
Earlier Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. Being overcautious in the very beginning Pakistan openers, Muhammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shazad, left Pakistan in trouble on 12/2 in six overs. Yonis Khan (50 runs off 67 balls) and Kamran Akmal (55 runs off 67 balls) put a good partnership of 98 runs to get Pakistan out of trouble to some extent. Misbah-ul-Haq (65 runs off 69 balls) and Umar Akmal (71 runs off 52 balls) contributed handsomely and get Pakistan completely out of trouble. All in all Pakistan batsmen got four half centuries to pile up huge total of 317 for minnows Kenya.
Stranded bowling by Kenyan bowlers also helped Pakistan with 46 extra runs. Thomas Odoyo being the best bowler picked up three wickets in his seven overs. Umar Akmal was named as man of the match for his blistering 71 runs inning in just 52 balls.
After today’s match; Group A teams have played their first match except Kenya who have lost their two matches against New Zealand and Pakistan. Group A team standing shows that New Zealand is on the top of the Group due to their huge NRR of +7.62 courtesy to massive victory against Kenya. Detailed team standing is shown by the table above.
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