HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan have a reputation of blowing hot and cold on the cricket field. Well, on Wednesday, in their first match of the 2011 World Cup at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium here, they were sizzling hot as they thumped Kenya by 205 runs to send out a serious warning to their rivals.
Their star players all came to the party with the bat, helping them post a mammoth 317 for 7 after Shahid Afridi elected to bat. The Kenyans in reply put up another embarrassing batting display and were bowled out for 112 in just 33.1 overs thereby making Steve Tikolo's plea for his boys to be given more time in the elite league appear very hollow. Their cluelessness against spin, particularly Afridi, was a sorry sight to see. The Pakistan skipper capitalized on the lack of footwork from the Kenyan batsmen and picked up 5 for 16, his third five for in ODIs and his second against Kenya.
Earlier, at 12 for 2 in 6.5 overs, memories of Ireland and St Patrick's Day at the Sabina Park in Kingston in 2007 must have come flooding back to Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. But then the in-form Younis Khan, a red-hot Misbah-Ul-Haq and the dynamism of the Akmal brothers saw them sail through. The crème-de-la crème of the Pakistan batting line-up posted attractive half centuries as they dismantled the Kenyan bowling, that gave 37 wide balls, a World Cup record.
Younis (50, 67 balls, 2 x4) and wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal 55 (67 balls, 5x4) ensured that there were no after-effects of the early loss of openers Mohd Hafeez and Ahmed Shahzad. Kamran, who batted at No.3 was the more aggressive partner as he ensured that the first Powerplay wasn't wasted and played some bold strokes over the infield. Younis was the silent partner. He played the drives to long on and long off to collect singles, the little dabs to third man and fine leg and the odd big shot to quietly notch up 50. Kamran succumbed to his old weakness of losing concentration when in full swing and attempted a wild slog off left-arm-spinner Shem Ngoche, who varied his flight beautifully to leave the batsman stranded.
Younis too couldn't carry on after his half century as he was trapped lbw by Tikolo. Perhaps, it was a blessing in disguise for Pakistan to lose Younis at that time as he was getting tired and it brought to the crease the mighty talented Umar Akmal 71 (52 balls, 8x4, 1x6).
Is there any stroke this kid can't play? The mow over mid-wicket, the inside-out lofted stroke over cover, the scoop over short-fine leg and violent square cuts that would leave the point fielder terrified! He plays every shot at will and at times it seems he has three strokes for every ball.
The perfect foil for Umar was Misbah. He ran brilliantly between wickets and more importantly recognised that Umar was middling everything. Misbah and Umar added 118 runs for the fifth wicket in just 80 balls and Pakistan just exploded in the third powerplay which saw them plunder 70 runs for the loss of Misbah's wicket for 65 (69 balls, 1x4, 2x6). Umar followed him to the pavilion soon, but by then the team had taken giant steps to a 300-plus total and a potentially huge victory. The way the Kenyans batted, even a 100 runs less would have sufficed.
Their star players all came to the party with the bat, helping them post a mammoth 317 for 7 after Shahid Afridi elected to bat. The Kenyans in reply put up another embarrassing batting display and were bowled out for 112 in just 33.1 overs thereby making Steve Tikolo's plea for his boys to be given more time in the elite league appear very hollow. Their cluelessness against spin, particularly Afridi, was a sorry sight to see. The Pakistan skipper capitalized on the lack of footwork from the Kenyan batsmen and picked up 5 for 16, his third five for in ODIs and his second against Kenya.
Earlier, at 12 for 2 in 6.5 overs, memories of Ireland and St Patrick's Day at the Sabina Park in Kingston in 2007 must have come flooding back to Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. But then the in-form Younis Khan, a red-hot Misbah-Ul-Haq and the dynamism of the Akmal brothers saw them sail through. The crème-de-la crème of the Pakistan batting line-up posted attractive half centuries as they dismantled the Kenyan bowling, that gave 37 wide balls, a World Cup record.
Younis (50, 67 balls, 2 x4) and wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal 55 (67 balls, 5x4) ensured that there were no after-effects of the early loss of openers Mohd Hafeez and Ahmed Shahzad. Kamran, who batted at No.3 was the more aggressive partner as he ensured that the first Powerplay wasn't wasted and played some bold strokes over the infield. Younis was the silent partner. He played the drives to long on and long off to collect singles, the little dabs to third man and fine leg and the odd big shot to quietly notch up 50. Kamran succumbed to his old weakness of losing concentration when in full swing and attempted a wild slog off left-arm-spinner Shem Ngoche, who varied his flight beautifully to leave the batsman stranded.
Younis too couldn't carry on after his half century as he was trapped lbw by Tikolo. Perhaps, it was a blessing in disguise for Pakistan to lose Younis at that time as he was getting tired and it brought to the crease the mighty talented Umar Akmal 71 (52 balls, 8x4, 1x6).
Is there any stroke this kid can't play? The mow over mid-wicket, the inside-out lofted stroke over cover, the scoop over short-fine leg and violent square cuts that would leave the point fielder terrified! He plays every shot at will and at times it seems he has three strokes for every ball.
The perfect foil for Umar was Misbah. He ran brilliantly between wickets and more importantly recognised that Umar was middling everything. Misbah and Umar added 118 runs for the fifth wicket in just 80 balls and Pakistan just exploded in the third powerplay which saw them plunder 70 runs for the loss of Misbah's wicket for 65 (69 balls, 1x4, 2x6). Umar followed him to the pavilion soon, but by then the team had taken giant steps to a 300-plus total and a potentially huge victory. The way the Kenyans batted, even a 100 runs less would have sufficed.
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