Hambantota: Pakistan set 318 target against Kenya in its opening World Cup match here at Mahinda Rajapaksa international cricket stadium on Wednesday.
Kamran Akmal and Younis Khan helped Pakistan recover from an early stutter during a disciplined spell from Kenya’s opening bowlers, as Pakistan reached the relative safety of 109 for 3 halfway through their innings after they had been reduced to 12 for 2 in the seventh over.
Thomas Odoyo and Elijah Otieno showed admirable control with the new ball, prising out Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad early, but the pressure was released by the Kenyan back-up bowlers, and a large total emerged before Kamran departed after he had registered a fluent fifty to lift Kenya once more.
Pakistan decided to bat first in order to give their batsmen some time in the middle and take advantage of a good batting strip with a dry tinge to it, Shahid Afridi had suggested at the toss, but they were soon under pressure as a transformed Kenyan unit landed the early blows.
Otieno provided the early breakthrough with a little help from Seren Waters in the field. Hafeez had looked to force a length delivery into the leg side but hit it uppishly and Waters, at straight midwicket, leapt to his left and managed to cling onto a juggled catch mere inches from the turf.
Shehzad, who had scratched around for 17 balls that yielded just a single run, chipped a leading edge to give Jimmy Kamande a simple catch at mid-off and Pakistan were in some strife at 12 for 2.
Younis Khan made 50 off 67 ball with two fours while Misbah scored 65 off 69 balls with two sixes and one four.Umar Akman smashed 71 playing only 52 balls with 1 six and fours.
Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi was sent back to pavilion on seven run.
Abdul Razzaq and Abdur Rehman were not out at the end of the innings on eight runs and five respectively.
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