Pakistan survived a late order scare from Sri Lanka to pull off an exciting 11-run win in the first one-day international in Sharjah on Wednesday, to go 1-0 up in the five-matchs series.
Pakistan’s innings was built around a brilliant 122 from Mohammad Hafeez which saw them post an imposing 322-5 in their 50 overs but were made to work hard for their win, finally bowling Sri Lanka out in 49.4 overs.
Besides Hafeez’s 122, Sohaib Maqsood (73) and debutant opener Sharjeel Khan (61) were the main contributors on a flat pitch. Sri Lanka had all but lost the match at 221-7 but Sachithra Senanayake (42) and Seekkuge Prasanna (42) gave Pakistan a scare during their 87-run partnership for the eighth wicket – a record against Pakistan.
Sri Lanka needed 27 off the last two overs but both the batsmen were out in quick succession to hand Pakistan a deserved win. Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq should learn from this game.
“It was a hard fought win. We need to improve on the bowling and fielding, too many lapses,” he said.
Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews was full of praise for his team’s battling display.
“We witnessed a great match, especially the stand between Seekkuge and Senanayake, very pleasing to see how they fought,” he said.
Sri Lanka got off to a solid start with Tillakaratne Dilshan (30) and Kusal Perera (64) batting quite comfortably against the spin-cum pace Pakistan attack.
Dilshan pulled a short Junaid Khan delivery straight to deep square-leg before Kumar Sangakkara (23) and Perera added 47 for the second wicket.
Perera, who hit five boundaries and a six off 68 balls, also holed out off Hafeez before leg-spinner Shahid Afridi struck twice, dismissing Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne (10) in quick succession.
Dinesh Chandimal hit a 50-ball 46 while Mathews made 31 off 32 balls during a resolute 73-run stand for the fifth wicket before the tail wagged. Paceman Junaid finished with 3-44.
Earlier, Hafeez’s 129-ball innings was the highlight of a power-packed Pakistan batting performance after they won the toss.
Hafeez, whose place was in danger over poor form after only 147 runs in the last eight one-dayers, hit seven boundaries and four sixes in his seventh oneday hundred.
He hoisted paceman Suranga Lakmal over long-on for a six to reach the three-figure mark. Hafeez added 140 for the third wicket with Maqsood and 83 for the second wicket with Sharjeel to give Pakistan a good platform.
Maqsood was run out after hitting four sixes and two boundaries during an entertaining 68-ball knock. Shahid Afridi, promoted to No5, produced a fiery 12-ball knock of 34 studded with three sixes and two boundaries as Pakistan clobbered 103 in the last ten overs.
The second match will be played in Dubai on Friday followed by the third in Sharjah on Sunday and the last two in Abu Dhabi on December 25 and 27.
