Colombo: Pakistan made 277 for the lost of seven wickets against Sri Lanka here at the R. Premadasa Stadium, on Saturday.
Sri Lanka thwarted steady firstĀ with taking two early wickets.
The visitors managed their innings well to reach 277/7 in their 50 overs, despite some shaky moments.
It means the hosts will have to produce the highest run chase ever seen under lights at this ground.
A fourth-wicket stand of 108 between Misbah ul Haq and Younis Khan dominated the middle of the Pakistan innings after they found themselves in a degree of trouble at 105/3 in the 21st over.
This partnership did a world of good in re-establishing Pakistanās prospects, because the pair not only survived but kept the scoreboard moving.
Boundaries were not a major feature, but they ran exceptionally well and exploited the gaps in the field with aplomb. Their 20-over partnership ticked along at 5.26 runs per over, so the innings never stalled despite the lack of boundaries.
The stand eventually ended when senior partner Khan, looking to accelerate in the 41st over, was caught off the bowling of Rangana Herath for 72 off 76 balls.
Misbah remained at the crease until the end, however, finishing with 83 off 91, six fours included. A few boundaries from Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi helped him take Pakistan to their final total of 277/7.
Earlier, Pakistan got off to a quick start thanks to some powerful hitting from Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad, but both openers got out after getting themselves in.
Shehzad was beaten by a good ball from Thisara Perera to be caught behind, but Hafeez was run out after an extraordinary comedy of errors in which even Sri Lanka played a part. The home side lost control of the ball when both Hafeez and Kamran Akmal were stuck at the same end, but did eventually get the bails off.
Things were in the balance at that stage, with the score 76/2, but it got worse for Pakistan when Kamran Akmal played a terrible shot to Herath and got stumped with the score on 105.
Things could have gone either way from there, but Misbah and Younisās resolve ensured Pakistan posted a competitive total.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription