1st ODI: Afridi proved his worth: Misbah

Pakistan captain delighted by all-rounder’s man-of-the-match performance as hosts beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets.

DUBAI:

Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq was all praise for mercurial all-rounder Shahid Afridi’s excellent performance in the first One-Day International against Sri Lanka, which gave his team a 1-0 lead after the hosts thumped the tourists by eight wickets.

Afridi, who is returning to international cricket after withdrawing his retirement last month, left his captain a completely satisfied man after the all-rounder picked up a vital three-wicket haul, which helped bowl Sri Lanka out for a paltry 131 after they had chosen to bat first.

“Afridi is a match-winner and he proved that,” said Misbah. “He came on when we needed wickets and also needed to keep the runs down. He bowled a wicket-to-wicket line, didn’t give away runs and also made key breakthroughs.”

Misbah believed that the pitch had no demons in it for the batsmen and credited his team’s all-round show for the convincing victory.

“It wasn’t a bad pitch, but all credit goes to the bowlers as they kept relentless pressure and then Imran Farhat (50) and Younus Khan (56 not out) batted well to ensure the victory.

“It’s all about team-work. The strength was our spinners, we stuck to the basics and then bowled well with the new ball.”

Dilshan disappointed

Disappointed Sri Lanka captain Tillekaratne Dilshan agreed with his Pakistan counterpart, admitting that the pitch was good to bat on.

“The track wasn’t bad,” he said. “If we’re playing on the same track in the next match I think batting first will still be the right option.

“We didn’t start well and once you are bowled out for 131, it leaves you with no fight. We didn’t bat well, that’s the main reason we lost.”

Mohsin happy with players

Meanwhile, Pakistan interim coach Mohsin Khan said he was satisfied with his team’s ability to put the spot-fixing scandal behind them.

“I made sure that all the boys stayed away from it mentally and I’m glad that they responded very well and are performing well,” he said.

Younus, Farhat star with the bat

When Pakistan began their run-chase they lost Mohammad Hafeez (five) early but Farhat added 103 for the second wicket with Younus.

Farhat struck his seventh boundary to reach his ninth ODI 50. Younus, whose half-century was his 45th in ODIs, took the team past the target in just 21.5 overs.

Earlier, Afridi was supported by Saeed Ajmal (two for 21) and Hafeez (two for 24). 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2011.