Afridi, Ajmal heroics help Pakistan win first ODI

Hafeez fell early for 5 runs, but half-centuries from Younus Khan and Imran Farhat saw the match out successfully.

DUBAI:
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the first day-night international at Dubai stadium here on Friday to go 1-0 up in the five-match series.

Pakistan chased down the target in 21.5 overs on the back of half-centuries from Imran Farhat and Younus Khan.

Earlier, the Sri Lankan batting line up collapsed for 131 on a bowler friendly track, after a match winning comeback performance by Shahid Afridi who took 3-27 while Saeed Ajmal took 2-21.

LD Chandimal was the highest run getter for Sri Lanka, scoring 28.

Earlier Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan won the toss and decided to bat in the first day-night international against Pakistan at Dubai stadium here on Friday.

Sri Lanka preferred leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna over the more experienced off-spinner Syraj Randiv, while they also gave debut to 26-year-old allrounder Kosala Kulasekara.


As expected, Pakistan included Shahid Afridi but left out Shoaib Malik. Afridi was recalled for the series after he last month went back on his decision to retire decision.

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema, Abdul Razzaq

Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan (captain), Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kosala Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dilhara Fernando

Umpires: Marais Erasmus (RSA) and Ahsan Raza (PAK)

TV umpire: Richard Illingworth (ENG)

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
Load Next Story