Pakistan Sri Lanka Abu Dhabi Series 2007
PAK v SL : Sri Lanka thrash Pakistan by 115 runs in the final ODI at Abu Dhabi
May 23, 2007
Sri Lanka thrashed Pakistan by 115 runs in the third and final one-dayer at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi thereby denying Pakistan a clean sweep of the three-match series.
The Pakistanis looked keen to experiment as they left out Imran Nazir, Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami, Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi. Two bowlers, Fawad Alam and Najah Shah, made their debut for Pakistan. In contrast, Sri Lanka decided to recall Sanath Jayasuriya, Lasith Malinga and Kaushal Lokuarachchi who were not there in the previous game.
The Sri Lankans, won the toss and elected to bat with the openers, Upul Tharanga and Sanath Jayasuriya, putting up a partnership of 62 runs in 10 overs.
However, Jayasuriya played a false shot when he tried to cut Iftikhar too close to the body but lost his stumps in the process. He was out after making 19 runs in 29 balls. The other opener, Tharanga, departed soon after when he was caught by Kamran Akmal off the bowling of Iftikhar. He made 40 runs in 37 balls. The two new batters, Jayawardene and Kapugedera, played a few lusty shots before Kapugedera was caught by Akmal to give Iftikhar his third wicket of the match. Kapugedera made 15 in 30 balls.
However, the Sri Lankan skipper came to the team's rescue, and he, along with Chamara Silva resurrected the Lankan innings. Jayawardene picked up where he left from in the last innings and scored at a-run-a-ball to stamp his authority over the Pakistani bowlers by scoring his second consecutive fifty of the series. Jayawardene finally got out for 83 runs in 81 balls when he was clean bowled by Mohammad Hafees.
The Sri Lankans managed to reach a score of 296 after losing 9 wickets to set up a stiff target for the Pakistanis to chase down. The Pakistani's started the chase on a confident note by scoring 60 runs in 12 overs and losing only a single wicket of Salman Butt. But their good run did not last for long as the Pakistanis lost the next 5 wickets in the space of 9 runs.
Dilhara Fernando was the chief destructor, claiming 3 of the five wickets that fell in a heap. The sixth wicket of Karman Akmal was a bizarre run-out with Shoaib Malik driving straight down the pitch. Malinga just managed to get a fingertip on the ball before it shattered the stumps at the non-strikers end. Akmal, who was backing up too far, was found short of his crease. For Pakistan, only skipper Shoaib Malik put up some resistance who remained unbeaten on 79.
ODI Series, Abu Dhabi: Sri Lanka 296-9 (50 ovs) bt Pakistan 181 (42.5 ovs) by 115 runs
PAK v SL : Pakistan wins Abu Dhabi series against Sri Lanka
May 21, 2007
All-rounder Shahid Afridi took 3 crucial wickets as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 98 runs in the second one-dayer at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi to clinch the three-match series.
Chasing a daunting target of 313, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 215 in 39.5 overs with six wickets falling for 41 runs. Shahid Afridi did the major damage to the Sri Lankan innings taking 3-37, while only captain Mahela Jayawardene put up any resistance with 61 off 69 balls.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first. Salman Butt's 74 set Pakistan on their way to their imposing total with Yasir Hameed contributing with a fine fifty. Butt and Imran Nazir put on 45 for the first wicket before the latter was bowled by Dilhara Fernando for 17, while Butt then built another solid partnership with Hameed, the pair putting on 98 before Hameed was caught and bowled by Malinga Bandara for 50. Butt departed in the same manner but Pakistan continued to accumulate runs, Malik adding 27 before he too fell to Malinga Bandara and Mohammad Yousuf scoring 37 before being run out. Bandara, with three for 56, and Farveez Maharoof, with three for 65, shared the bowling honours for Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan reply started promisingly, Upul Tharanga and Chamara Kapugedera putting on 37 in the first five overs before the latter had his middle stump uprooted by Mohammad Sami. Jayawardene and Thuranga shared a stand of 64 to move the score onto 113 for two after 18 overs. But after Tharanga was caught by Nazir off the bowling of Afridi for 48, the Sri Lanka innings began to fall apart.
Lindamlilage Silva became Afridi's second victim after hitting a quickfire 29, while Prasanna Jayawardene managed just a single before he too fell to Afridi. And when Mahela Jayawardene was bowled by Mohammad Asif for 69 to leave Sri Lanka 188 for seven, Sri Lanka were all but defeated. Maharoof (18), Bandara (16) and Ruchira Perera (0) all followed within two overs as Pakistan wrapped up a convincing victory.
ODI Series, Abu Dhabi: Pakistan 313-9 (50 overs) beat Sri Lanka 215 (39.5)
PAK v SL : Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets
May 19, 2007
All-rounder Shahid Afridi hit 73 off just 34 balls as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in Friday's first one-day international in Abu Dhabi.
Afridi, who was dropped twice, struck 32 off one over as his side reached their target with eight overs to spare. He was ably supported by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who made an unbeaten 51, as the pair gave Shoaib Malik the ideal start in his first match as captain.
Earlier, Sri Lanka made 235-9, thanks largely to a half-century from Farvez Maharoof. Umar Gul had done the most damage with the ball for Pakistan, taking three wickets for 61. He removed Chamara Kapugedera for 28, Mahela Jayawardene for 18 and Malinga Bandara for three. Maharoof's knock included nine fours and one six to continue a fightback started by Chamara Silva, who hit 47.
The Sri Lankan top order all failed to post a score above 30, with Sanath Jayasuriya going for just one, Upul Tharanga for 17 and Mahela Jayawardene for 18.
The Pakistan innings started promisingly with Imran Nazir hitting a quickfire 38 before being run out by Jayasuriya. Yasir Hameed quickly followed him back to the pavilion, lbw to Malinga for 10. Salman Butt scored a pedestrian 34 before he was run out by Kapugedera, followed by Mohammad Yousuf (12) and Malik (11), but Afridi smacked four sixes and eight fours to steer Pakistan to victory.
ODI Series, Abu Dhabi: Pakistan 239-5 (42 overs) beat Sri Lanka 235-9 (50 overs) by 5 wkts
PAK v SL : Sri Lankans confident of doing well
May 18, 2007
Sri Lankan cricketers led by Mahela Jayawardene walked into the Sheikh Stadium in Abu Dhabi for their final practice session before the first game against Pakistan in a very happy mood. All were in fine fettle to take up the challenge from the Pakistanis today, Friday.
Pakistanis are coming up for this one-day series with the sole intention of catching up their lost prestige. They were thrown out of the World Cup in the early stages and are making every effort to reach the top as early as possible. Many of the players who participated at the World Cup are missing including their captain Inzamam-Ul-Haq. Here they will be led by Sohib Malik and two new faces taking their positions to face on international team: Mahela Jayawardene who led the Lankan team to the final of the World Cup 2007 too is facing the Pakistans minus many experienced team members.
He will have to use all his experience in handling his bowlers well on a pitch that they have never experienced. Pitch conditions and the climate in Abu Dhabi is something that both parties have to concentrate on. The winners of this three match one day series is to receive the Al Wagid Trophy and a cash award of US Dollars 10,000. The location of the Sheikh Zayad Stadium is far away from the City Centre with few access facilities and the roadway to the stadium is half done.
Srinath match referee for Abu Dhabi series
May 15, 2007
Former India paceman Javagal Srinath has been appointed match referee for the three-match one-day cricket series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan to be held in Abu Dhabi later this month, while compatriot Suresh Shastri will be one of the on-field umpires in two of the games.
The matches will be played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on May 18, 20 and 22. Srinath and Shastri are among the match officials announced by the International Cricket Council for the series.
For the first ODI, Shastri will partner England's Mark Benson, while Zimbabwean Russell Tiffin will be the third umpire. The next match will see Shastri and Tiffin on the field with Benson as third umpire.
The Indian will be the third umpire for the final match of the rubber with Benson and Tiffin standing in the middle. Meanwhile, Australian Peter Parker and Tony Hill from New Zealand will be the on-field umpires for the Afro-Asian Cup to be held in India next month.
Sri Lanka drop Atapattu for Abu Dhabi series
May 11, 2007
Veteran batsman Marvan Atapattu has been omitted from the 15-man Sri Lanka squad for the three-match one-day international series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.
Only nine of the 15 players who represented the country in the World Cup have been named in the squad for the series starting on May 18. Veterans Kumar Sangakkara, Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas were released by governing body Sri Lanka Cricket to play county cricket in England. Russel Arnold has retired from international cricket while seamer Nuwan Kulasekara, who played one game in the World Cup, were left out along with Atapattu. Asantha de Mel, Sri Lankas chairman of selectors, said that they decided to drop Atapattu as they wanted to groom young players. We just thought of taking this opportunity to take a look at a few young players. Marvan will be considered in the future, but for this series we thought of going with a couple of young guys, de Mel said. Uncapped opening batsman Malintha Warnapura (27) has been named in the squad after his excellent form with the A team, along with Ishara Amarasinghe (28), another uncapped player. Malintha deserves the break. Hes done exceptionally well with the A team and his choice was automatic. Ishara bowls at a good pace and hes got the talent and we want to see how he goes, de Mel added. Hes someone like Lasith Malinga, unusual action and troubles batsmen often. Prasanna Jayawardene, who keeps wicket in Tests for Sri Lanka, has been named wicketkeeper in the absence of Sangakkara. Leg-spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi and middle order batsman Chamara Kapugedara complete the squad. Sri Lanka team : Mahela Jayawardene (Captain) Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Silva, TM Dilshan, Farveez Maharoof, Dilhara Fernando, Malinga Bandara, Lasith Malinga, Malintha Warnapura, Prasanna Jayawardene, Ruchira Perera, Ishara Amarasinghe, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Chamara Kapugedara.
Asif recalled for Sri Lanka series
May 08, 2007
Pakistani pace bowler Mohammad Asif has been recalled to the squad and appointed vice-captain for this month's one-day series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Asif, who missed the World Cup due to an elbow injury, would hold the position only for the three-match series from May 18-22. "The vice-captain will be appointed on a series to series basis. This is part of our policy to groom young players for the future," PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf said.
Asif, 24, and fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar tested positive for nandrolone last October but a Pakistan Cricket Board appeals panel cleared them of doping a offence and overturned their bans. The squad also includes two uncapped players, 21-year-old all rounder Fawad Alam and left-arm bowler Najaf Shah, 22.
"It is the best possible side we could pick after the World Cup with Inzamam retired and Younis Khan also not available due to his county commitments," chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said. He added that as part of a rotation policy the selectors would be giving chances to more players to build a strong one-day team.
The Sri Lanka series will be Shoaib Malik's first as captain after he replaced senior batsman, Inzamam-ul-Haq, who stepped down as skipper and retired from one-day internationals during the World Cup. Under Inzamam, Pakistan were eliminated in the first round of the World Cup after losing to hosts West Indies and Ireland. Pakistan team: Shoaib Malik (c), Imran Nazir, Salman Butt, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Yousuf, Yasir Hameed, Kamran Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Fawad Alam, Abdul Rehman,Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Mohammad Sami, Najaf Shah.
Pakistan to name squad today
May 05, 2007
Pakistan would announce their 15-man squad for this months three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka today following a meeting of the national selectors in Lahore.
Medium pacer Mohammad Asif is likely to be named the new vice-captain of the national team ahead of the series against Sri Lanka to be played from May 18-22. A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official told this correspondent on Sunday that the national selection committee would meet this morning to finalise the Pakistani team. The committees chairman Salahuddin Ahmed alias Sallu would later present the list of players to PCB chief Nasim Ashraf for his approval. The team would be announced by the chief selector later in the evening following the approval expected during the PCBs ad-hoc committee meeting in Lahore today. Sources said that the selectors are still undecided on the final combination of the squad and would finalise it following consultations with the new Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik. It would be the young all-rounders first outing as the national team skipper after taking over from veteran batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq, who resigned following Pakistans horrendous World Cup campaign in the Caribbean.
It is also the first assignment for the selection committee that was appointed by the Board in the aftermath of the World Cup debacle. The new selectors are under pressure to induct some new faces in the national team, a move that would be a signal that Pakistan are making a fresh start. Promising Karachi player Fawad Alam is one of the young players being seriously considered by the selectors for the series in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan-Sri Lanka Abu Dhabi series delayed
May 02, 2007
Pakistans three-match One-day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi has been delayed by a week because of a plethora of problems.
The organisers of the series which was supposed to be played from May 9-15 were forced to delay on the request of the Sri Lankan Cricket Board, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said on Wednesday. The official said that the events organisers have informed the PCB that the series is now expected to be held from May 15-20 because the Sri Lankans needed some time before sending their players to Abu Dhabi. The Sri Lankans who featured in the April 28 final of the World Cup in Barbados got stranded in London en-route to Colombo after flights going to the Sri Lankan capital were suspended because of attacks carried out by Tamil Tigers in recent days.
However, sources said that another reason why the organisers in Abu Dhabi were unable to hold the series on time is because they are yet to sell any television rights. Zakir Khan, PCBs Director of Operations, when asked to comment on the issue said that it is wrong to say that series in Abu Dhabi has been postponed. The dates of the series were never announced so you cannot say that it has been postponed or rescheduled, he said.
There have been speculations in recent days that the series would be cancelled because of sponsorship-related problems but Zakir denied all such reports. The series is very much on and the dates of the matches would be announced by the organisers in consultation with the Sri Lankans and the PCB, he said.