277/7 Misbah 83*(91)
Sri Lanka
266/9 Afridi 4/34
Summary and Assessment
Congratulations everyone to start off with as winning a WC fixture against a top class opponent is always a challenging stage to play on and a special feeling if you get the desired result. Even more so when you're playing on their home ground with a packed electrifying atmosphere. Therefore, this is a cause for celebration. Pessimists who previously were writing off the team's chances can now take a step back as this victory represents hope, optimism and the genuine potential of this unit as a threatening world beating force who could do wonders which include actually winning the World Cup as highlighted beforehand by many of the regular and experienced followers including myself, but that was the talking and now we are seeing the results shine in front of one and all. It was a truly brilliant performance today in a thrilling contest at Colombo and some key names came to the party and clicked under pressure. This should now definitely have kicked started the team campaign with a sense of pride and belief which should win the hearts and minds of the cricket mad but starved nation which has been dominated by hardships and turmoils. They could really do with a major global triumph to reunite the public and rejuvenate the national spirit in several walks of life. This soon might become a reality.
Key Notes
- Pakistan make it 7/7 and remain undefeated against Sri Lanka in WCs.
-Pakistan have won 5 out of their last 6 one day internationals.
-They currently stand at the top of Group A above Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
-Afridi is currently standing as the leading wicket taker in the World Cup with joint figures of 18-3-50-9 which is astonishingly good. This also suggests that the 5/16 against Kenya was not a one match fluke and that he has actually re-discovered that magical golden spark in his bowling which makes him a dangerous trump card match winner. What better time to find it than in a World Cup, especially when your captain!!! He could well conclude the tournament as the leading wicket taker. The early indications are pointing towards a special tournament for the experienced talisman.
-Misbah Ul Haq currently averages 148 in the tournament. Continuous brilliance from the Vice Captain.
Memorable Moments
1) Shoaib's delivery to Jayawardene where the ball swung prodigiously and shattered into middle stump. The top class batsmen was beaten through his defences in phenomenal fashion. It was a game changing moment which broke a potentially destructive middle order partnership and also inspired the whole of the Pakistan Team on the field.
2) Afridi dismissing Samaraweera with a gem of a delivery where he extracted sharp drift, dip and turn away from the right hander. The teasing delivery dragged him out of the crease and he lost his balance to provide Kamran Akmal with an opportunity to dislodge the bails in time which he successfully managed to do.
3) Afridi dismissing Sangakara in the deep at a crucial time in the match which pushed the game in favour of Pakistan and also brought up a famous landmark for him of reaching 300 ODI wickets. He is only the 2nd person behind Sanath Jayasuria to reach the milestone.
Potentially 7 more wins are on their way? Don't rule out the possibility of Pakistan winning the World Cup in style by being undefeated!
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