Shrugging off a nervous start, Pakistan posted a good 317 for 7 against Kenya in their opening Group A match of the ICC World Cup tournament here, as the beleaguered team began its campaign to be taken seriously in the cricketing world.
After Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, its openers, Mohammed Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad began cautiously scoring just 10 in the first five overs. The top order blaster Shehzad did not score a run off 11 balls; and eventually went for 1 off 18 balls. Shehzad was circumspect when he came in and in Odoyo’s fourth over was caught by Kamande trying to scoop the ball over mid off.
Hafeez was the first to go, caught brilliantly by Waters at short mid wicket off Otieno’s third over, and the umpires called for help in making a decision since the ball hit the diving Waters on his right and left hands and his cap before eventually settling in his right palm. The TV umpire took over two minutes to make the decision.
The devil seems to have been more in the mind of the Pakistani openers than in the field, which played true like most pitches in the sub-continent. The first boundary came in the fifth over and the next in the 10th over.
At the end of 10 overs, Pakistan managed 40 runs in all, and inched closer to the ICC World Cup 2011 average of 47 runs in the first 10 (47 for 1 is the average score) thanks to a wayward Odhiambo, who was introduced in the 10th over. He was no balled thrice, once for overstepping and, at another time for dangerous bowling and conceded 16 runs. That momentum proved crucial as Pakistan’s 50 came up in 12.2 overs, and the 100 in 22.5 overs.
Kamran Akmal and Younus Khan put on a valuable 50 runs in quick time (54 balls). Shen Ngoche's left arm spin was introduced to help tide the flow of runs. Ngoche conceded four runs in his first over, prompting captain and part-time right-arm spinner James Kamande to introduce himself. That did not stop either, they just went around rotating the strike, running the singles and twos.
A momentary lapse of concentration saw Kamran Akmal jump out to Ngoche, only to be stumped smartly by Ouma. In the very next over Ouma let go of a straight forward chance given by new batsman Misbah ul Haq. Mishbah, having hit off-spinner Steve Tikolo straight and clean for a six attempted to steer the next ball. This time the resultant edge found a part of Ouma’s glove for an agonising moment before succumbing to the laws of gravity.
Younus Khan was given out leg before to Steve Tikolo by Nigel Llong soon after reaching his 50. Khan opted for the review and the decision was confirmed.
Hoping to put pressure on the batting, captain Kamande turned to Thomas Odoyo. This time Odoyo failed, bowling a middle and leg line repeatedly, even though Keeper Ouma was standing up. The result was two huge wides that cleared the boundary – 10 runs gifted in a space of 3 balls. Odoyo was back bowling an outside the off-stump line, but the pressure tactic had not worked. Kamande brought himself on. But the scoreboard kept ticking and the 200 came off 38.4 overs, setting the stage for a late assault.
Kamran was not missed as his twin Umar (71) took off from where his brother had let off; his 50 came of 40 balls. He offered and instant prayer in the ground, bending down and touching the ground with his forehead. With Misbah, he added 118 runs and rewrote the Pakistani record for the fifth wicket in the ICC World Cup. The team’s 250 came up in 45.1 overs. Shahid Afridi did not trouble the scorers much. He went after an umpiring review. A.Hill had ruled him not out and Kenya preferred the review. Adding to the tally was the 46 extras (37 wides) that Kenya gifted Pakistan.
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