Pakistan beat Kenya by 205 runs

Hambantota (Sri Lanka): Pakistan opened their World Cup campaign with a thumping –run win over an unimpressive Kenya by 205 runs in a group A match at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium here today.

For Kenya it is their second consecutive defeat in the mega-event after being demolished by New Zealand by 10 wickets in their tournament-opener on Sunday.

Pakistan will next play Sri Lanka in Colombo on Saturday. Against Kenya, Pakistan produced an all-round display as after piling up a mammoth 317 for seven on the board, they dismissed the minnows for a paltry 112 in 33.1 overs.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and elected to bat against Kenya in their Group A match of the cricket World Cup here today. Controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been included in the Pakistan playing XI along with Umar Gul as his pace partner.

Tanmay Mishra comes in for Alex Obanda in the Kenyan team which lost to New Zealand by 10 wickets in its opening match.

Pakistan’s middle-order came up with a splendid batting display to steer the team to a massive 317 for seven in their Group A World Cup opening match against Kenya here today.

Shrugging off a poor start, Kamran Akmal (55), Younis Khan (50), Misbah-ul-Haq (65) and Umar Akmal (71) chipped in with valuable half-centuries each to post a challenging total. While it was the experienced duo of Younis and Kamran, who helped the team recover from an early stutter, Misbah and Umar capitalised on it to pile up huge runs here at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium.

From 12 for two in 6.5 overs, Younis-Kamran lifted Pakistan to 110 for three, sharing a crucial 98-run third-wicket stand before quickfire knocks from Misbah and Umar turned the tide completely in Pakistan’s favour.

Misbah scored 65 off 69 balls with the help of one four and two sixes, while Umar hit 71 off just 52 balls, including eight fours and a six. Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan openers, Mohammad Hafeez (9) and Ahmed Shehzad (1) struggled against

Kenya’s new ball pair of Thomas Odoyo and Elijah Otieno. It was Otieno, who provided the early breakthrough for the African nation as Seren Waters took a fabulous catch to see off Hafeez. In the very next over, Odoyo got rid of Shehzad, who played 18 balls to score just one.

It was then up to the veterans Kamran and Younis to consolidate the innings. The duo responded to the calls but survived some anxious moments before opening their arms.

The Teams:

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (c), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Younus Khan, Umar Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar, Abdur Rehman.

Kenya: Jimmy Kamande (c), Seren Waters, Maurice Ouma, Collins Obuya, Steve Tikolo, Tanmay Mishra, Rakep Patel, Thomas Odoyo, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Shem Ngoche, Elijah Otieno.

Brief Scores:
Pakistan: 317 for 7 in 50 overs. (Umar Akmal 71, Misbah-ul-haq 65; Thomas Odoyo 3/41).