COLOMBO – Shahid Afridi came up with another superb bowling performance as Pakistan beat co-hosts Sri Lanka by 11 runs to win their Group A World Cup match on Saturday. The Pakistan captain followed his five wickets against Kenya in the previous game with a four-wicket haul (4-34) as Sri Lanka, chasing Pakistan’s 277-7, replied with 266 for nine wickets.
Pakistan stalwarts Younus Khan (72) and Misbah-ul-Haq (83 not out) shared a century partnership to set co-hosts Sri Lanka a challenging target to chase under lights. But Pakistan spinners strangled the Sri Lankan batsmen, capturing six of the nine wickets to fall. Top scorer for Sri Lanka was Chamara Silva with 57 off 78 balls.
“It was really important for us as Sri Lanka are a good side, especially since they were playing at home. It was important to win this World Cup match to go forward,” said Misbah. “Especially here, (winning the) toss was very, very important because it comes nicely to the bat in the first innings and second innings it’s difficult to bat.”
