Captain Misbah leads from the front
Hits unbeaten 83 as Pakistan down Scotland by 96 runs in opening ODI.
Misbah hit his 23rd ODI half-century and third in the last five matches in the format. PHOTO: FILE AFP
Captain Misbahul Haq starred as Pakistan downed Scotland by 96 runs in the first One-Day International (ODI) at the Grange Cricket Club Ground, Raeburn Place, Edinburgh.
Misbah steered Pakistan to a respectable total of 231 for seven in 50 overs, hitting an unbeaten 83 before bowlers Junaid Khan and Saeed Ajmal shared six wickets between them to help their side bundle out Scotland for 135 inside the 40th over.
The win gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the two-match series with the final ODI due to take place tomorrow.
The match was Pakistan’s first on the UK tour that also features another two-match series against Ireland before the warm-up games begin ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Scotland struggle in pursuit
Chasing a challenging total, Scotland were off to a poor start, losing their opener Neil Carter. A second-wicket partnership between Josh Davey and captain Kyle Coetzer helped the hosts recover but wickets started to fall regularly after the dismissal of Davey.
Junaid finished with three for 19, while Saeed Ajmal claimed three for 25. Debutant Ehsan Adil and Mohammad Irfan took one wicket apiece.
Misbah steadies the ship
Earlier, Pakistan were indebted to their captain spinner Majid Haq claimed three wickets to reduce the tourists to 115 for five.
After Misbah elected to bat, Pakistan were off to a slow but steady start with openers Imran Farhat and Nasir Jamshed providing the platform. Jamshed was dismissed before Haq claimed his first wicket of the day.
Imran Farhat moved to the brink of a half-century, only to be dismissed for 49.
Haq then claimed another two wickets as Pakistan lost their way and needed Misbah to stay till the end.
Haq had gone into the match level with John Blain as the nation’s top wicket-taker with 41 scalps, but impressive figures of three for 39 saw him claim the honour outright.
Misbah and Ajmal steadied the boat with a 51-run partnership for the seventh wicket, but the latter fell for 28 when he misjudged a scoop shot off Iain Wardlaw and the ball skidded into his stumps.
Misbah and Ehsan Adil upped the run rate to leave Scotland with a challenging target to chase.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 18th, 2013.