| HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan outclassed Kenya by a huge margin of 205 runs in their opening World Cup Group A match here at the Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium on Wednesday. Set an improbable target of 318 runs, Kenya were bundled out for a mere 112 runs in 33.1 overs. Captain Shahid Afridi was the main destroyer capturing five wickets for only 16 runs while Umar Gul claimed two for 12 and Mohammad Hafeez took one for 26. Collins Obuya was the main scorer for Kenya with 47 as only three other top order batsmen could enter into double figures. Earlier, captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and decided to bat but Pakistan made a disastrous start losing both their openers in seven overs. Mohammad Hafeez was the first to go, failing to keep a drive down as a diving Seren Waters picked up a beautiful catch at short mid-wicket. Two overs later, Ahmed Shahzad, who scored his first run after 13 deliveries, was caught by skipper Jimmy Kamande off Odoyo to leave Pakistan struggling at 12-2. However, wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal and veteran batsman Younis Khan came to rescue and revived the innings through a solid 98-run stand. Kamran made 55, his ninth ODI fifty and Younis scored 50, his 40th ODI fifty. Later, Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal gave the innings the final flourish with a rapid fire 118-run stand for the fifth wicket adding 118 runs for the fifth wicket partnership. Misbah hit 65 from 69 balls with two sixes. This was his 13th ODI half-century. Umar Akmal, playing his first World Cup match, reached his seventh ODI fifty. He top scored with a 52-ball 71 with eight fours and a six. This was the fourth half century in Pakistan innings. Afridi made just seven runs and was dismissed lbw by Odoyo who finished with 3-41, conceding 20 in wides in a total of 46 extras. | ||
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