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| Superb Maharoof lifts Sri Lanka to 235 |
| ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates: A superb unbeaten 69 off just 54 balls by Farveez Maharoof helped Sri Lanka shrug off the loss of early wickets and post a competitive 235 for nine in the first ODI of the three-match series, here at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Friday. Umar Gul was the most successful bowler with three wickets, but vice-captain Mohammad Asif was the most impressive, conceding just 26 runs from his ten overs. Shoaib Malik enjoyed a fruitful first 26 overs as captain of Pakistan, relying on the traditional Pakistani ingredients of fast bowling to reduce Sri Lanka to 103 for five at a packed, festive stadium. Malik had lost his first task, the toss, but reaped the benefits of his returning deputy Asif and Umar Gul, as Sri Lanka struggled to establish any kind of momentum. It seems whatever the length of break Asif takes from the game, he slots back in immediately as if he never went anywhere. Out came immediately the probing line and nasty lengths, and whatever little movement the pitch offered. An exemplary eight-over spell, of 16 runs and the wicket of Sanath Jayasuriya was about par for his course. Pakistan's other early success, as Sami wavered, was the result of some fine fielding by the recalled Salman Butt and some disastrous decision-making from Upul Tharanga, who saw a second run where none existed. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat against Pakistan as both sides returned to the field for the first time after wildly contrasting World Cup experiences. Sri Lanka, led by the outstanding Mahela Jayawardene, were also without key players, including Chaminda Vaas, Kumar Sangakkara and Muttiah Muralitharan. But they still retain an impressive top order and bowling attack. Scoreboard Sri Lanka won toss Sri Lanka W U Tharanga run out (Salman) 17 S T Jayasuriya lbw b Asif 1 C K Kapugedera b Umar 28 *D P M D Jayawardene c Kamran b Umar 18 L P C Silva run out (Razzaq) 47 T M Dilshan c Umar b Razzaq 15 †H A P W Jayawardene run out (Imran) 20 M F Maharoof not out 69 C M Bandara b Umar 6 S L Malinga b Sami 3 M K D I Amerasinghe not out 1 Extras (lb3, w3, nb4) 10 Total (9 wkts, 50 overs) 235 Fall: 1-4, 2-34, 3-61, 4-72, 5-103, 6-141, 7-177, 8-203, 9-215 Bowling: Mohammad Asif 10-1-26-1 (1w); Mohammad Sami 10-0-49-1 (1w); Umar Gul 10-0-61-3 (1nb, 1w); Abdul Razzaq 10-0-53-1 (3nb); Shahid Afridi 10-0-43-0 Pakistan Imran Nazir, Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed, *Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, †Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul ODI debut: Ishara Amerasinghe (Sri Lanka) Umpires: M R Benson (England) and S L Shastri (India). TV umpire: R B Tiffin (Zimbabwe). Match referee: J Srinath (India) Remaining matches: Sunday (tomorrow) 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi (d/n). May 22 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi (d/n) |
