Afridi makes Pak boom
Kolkata, March 16
Pakistan posted 201/5 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens after opting to bat first and restricted their opponents to 146/6 in a lopsided Group Two contest. Afridi blasted a 19-ball 49 and returned to take 2/27 in a personally satisfying outing for the flamboyant 36-year-old all-rounder.
Afridi had been worried about Pakistan’s batting inconsistency and mentioned it at the toss but the all-rounder had no reasons to complain on Wednesday as the top order fired in unison. They lost opener Sharjeel Khan (18) cheaply but Mohammad Hafeez (64) and Ahmed Shehzad (52) added 95 runs in 11.2 overs to lay the foundation for the team’s only second 200-plus total in this format.
After Shehzad’s dismissal, Afridi promoted himself in the batting order and clobbered four sixes in a typically entertaining knock. Hafeez fell to a stunning catch by Soumya Sarkar in the deep, the overbalancing fielder throwing the ball up before crossing the rope and returning in time to complete the catch. Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny, who was reported for a suspect bowling action earlier in the tournament, claimed 2/34 but it was otherwise a forgettable outing for their bowling attack.
Bangladesh needed a strong start to chase down such a big target but Mohammad Amir (2/27) sent Sarkar’s off-stump cartwheeling in the first over before Afridi’s double strikes reduced the qualifiers to 58/3 in eight overs. Down the order, Shakib Al Hasan remained not out on 50 but the target proved too much for Bangladesh’s limited batting resources. — Reuters
Quick singles
Top PCB officials to be at Eden Gardens, Imran expected too
New Delhi: Top PCB officials Shaharyar Khan and Najam Sethi will be in attendance to watch their team take on India in the marquee match in Kolkata on March 19. Cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan and Zaheer Abbas, who is the current ICC president, are also among the Pakistani guests expected to watch the much-awaited clash at the Eden Gardens. For the record, Pakistan have never lost to India at the Eden Gardens while the hosts have never lost to Pakistan in the World Cup.
West Indies women beat Pakistan by 4 runs
Chennai: Offspinner Anisa Mohammed’s three-wicket haul guided the West Indies women to a four-run victory over Pakistan. Pakistan were dealt a serious blow when opener Javeria Khan was struck below her ear in the first over off a bouncer from Shamilia Connell. Javeria was stretchered off the field and taken to a nearby hospital. Javeria underwent a CT scan, and is understood to now be conscious. Brief scores: West Indies: 103/8 (Taylor 40; Amin 4/16); Pakistan: 99/5 (Maroof 22; Mohammed 3/25)
Playing three spinners paid off for Kiwis: Steyn
mumbai: South African pacer Dale Steyn said that New Zealand’s decision to play three spinners against India paid off. “Playing with three spinners paid off. We would probably go with spin, I don’t know. But as a seamer I have to back myself. Bowl fast cutters. It is really difficult to hit out when the ball is coming at 140-145, its gripping and stopping,” Steyn said. — Agencies
