STATS CORNER – Shahid Afridi became the first bowler to take four or more wickets in three successive matches in World Cup. Afridi achieved this feat during the match against Canada at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Thursday. The Pakistan skipper, who took five wickets for 16 runs against Kenya at Hambantota on February 23, claimed four wickets for 34 runs against Sri Lanka at Colombo on February 26. He dismissed five Canadian batsmen for 23 runs in the third match.
Akmal became Pakistan’s 32nd and 277th batsman overall to score 1000 runs in one-day internationals. The right hand middle order batsman from Lahore achieved this milestone during his 48-run knock. It was 32nd innings of his 33rd one-day international match.
Harvir Baidwan recorded his best bowling performance in World Cup by taking three for 35 in eight overs. It was his second best bowling performance in one-day internationals after three for 24 against Kenya at Schiedam on July 9, 2010.
Shahid Afridi’s five for 23 was the best bowling performance for Pakistan and third best against Canada after five for 14 by Trent Johnston (Ireland) at Centurion on April 19, 2009 and five for 21 by Alan Hurst (Australia) at Birmingham June 16, 1979.
Pakistan made it three victories in a row in this tournament by beating Canada by 46 runs.
It was Pakistan’s second win in as many matches against Canada in World Cup as well as in one-day internationals. Pakistan’s total, 184 in 43 overs, was the eight lowest successfully defended total in World Cup. Zimbabwe’s 134 against England in the 1992 World Cup was the lowest successfully defended total.
The seven leg before dismissals in the match, four from Pakistan side and three from Canadian side, were the second highest in a World Cup match. The record of most leg before in a World Cup match was eight between England and Australia at Leeds on June 18, 1975.
Afridi received his 24th man of the match award in 315 one day internationals. It was his second such award in 15 World Cup matches. The Pakistani skipper received his maiden man of the match award in the previous match against Sri Lanka at the same ground.
Shahid Afridi’s Best Bowling IN ODIs:
Fig Opponent Venue Date Result
6-38 Australia Dubai 22-04-2009 Pak won
5-11 Kenya Birmingham 14-09-2004 Pak won
5-16 Kenya Hambantota 23-02-2011 Pak won
5-23 Canada Colombo 03-03-2011 Pak won
5-40 England Lahore 27-01-2000 Pak won
