Hafeez guides Pakistan to warm-up win

Scores unbeaten 70 off 49 balls to help defeat Sri Lanka by 15 runs

Mohammad Hafeez was the star of the show in Pakistan’s warm-up match as his unbeaten 70 off 49 balls helped his side claim a 15-run win over defending champions Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi won the toss and opted to bat first on a batting friendly strip. Openers Sharjeel Khan and Ahmad Shahzad got off to a solid start, scoring 39 before Sharjeel was castled by Sachithra Senanayake.

Hafeez then paired with Sarfraz Ahmed and Umar Akmal to power Pakistan to 157-5.

In reply, Sri Lanka lost Tillakaratne Dilshan in the second over and barring a brief period in the middle, never looked like they could chase down the total.

Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim was the chief destroyer as he claimed 4-25 to take Sri Lanka from 76-2 to 101-5. New-ball pair Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Irfan also impressed as they gave away 0-20 and 2-18 in their four overs.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2016.

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