Leg spinner Shahid Afridi capped an excellent return to international cricket with three wickets as Pakistan thumped Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the first day-night match in Dubai.
Afridi took 3 for 27 in his first match since returning from a six-month exile, helping Pakistan dismiss Sri Lanka for a paltry 131 in 40.3 overs before Younis Khan and Imran Farhat hit fifties to anchor the chase at Dubai stadium.
Pakistan lost Mohammad Hafeez (5) in the second over of its innings but Farhat added 103 for the second wicket stand with Younis Khan (56 not out) to ensure a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Farhat hit leg spinner Seekkuge Prasanna for his seventh boundary to reach his ninth one-day fifty but with only 17 needed he was trapped leg-before wicket by paceman Suranga Lakmal for 50.
Younis, whose fifty was his 45th in one-dayers, took the team past the target in just 21.5 overs. He hit seven boundaries during his 57-ball knock.
Pakistan was on course for a comprehensive win thanks in large part to Afridi, who finished with 3 for 27 and was ably supported by Saeed Ajmal (2 for 21) and Mohammad Hafeez (2 for 24) as Sri Lanka lost its last seven wickets for 54 after opting to bat.
Dinesh Chandimal top-scored with 28 while opener Tharanga Paranavitna (25) and Mahela Jayawardene (24) were other notable scorers, but none went on to make a big score against some lethal spin bowling.
Captain Misbah-ul Haq praised his team's bowling.
"It wasn't a bad pitch, but all credit goes to the bowlers as they kept relentless pressure on the batsmen and then Farhat and Younis batted well to ensure a win," said Misbah, a little surprised by how comfortably Pakistan won the match.
Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan said poor batting was to blame.
"We didn't start well and once you were bowled out for 131, then it leaves you with no fight," said Dilshan, who defended decision to bat first.
AFP
Tags: sport, cricket, united-arab-emirates, pakistan, sri-lanka First posted November 12, 2011 10:43:42
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