Lakshmipathy Balaji celebrates Shahid Afridi’s dismissal
India bundled out Pakistan for 128 in the crucial match of ICC World Twenty20 Super Eights at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Seamer Lakshmipathy Balaji (3-22), off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (2-16), and part-timer left-armer Yuvraj Singh (2-16) all contributed in the restricting Pakistan to a modest total.
Pakistan batsmen were unable to cope against a disciplined bowling attack as they lost wickets at regular intervals.
Slumping to 5-59 after the cheap dismissals of Imran Nazir (8), Shahid Afridi (14), Nasir Jamshed (4) and Kamran Akmal (5) and skipper Mohammad Hafeez (15) Pakistan were in deep trouble before Shoaib Malik (28 off 22) and Umar Akmal (21 off 18) give some respite by stitching up crucial 47 runs for the sixth wicket.
Seamer Irfan Pathan gave India crucial early breakthrough by claiming Imran Nazir in second over. Shahid Afridi’s nightmarish run with bat not came to an end as he holed out to Suresh Raina off Balaji in attempt to hit ball all the way.
Pakistan had not yet recovered from the back-to-back blows when Yuvraj’s double strike dragged Pakistan into deep glooms. He first edged Jamshed to MS Dhoni behind the wicket and then scalped Kamran in the similar fashion. Kohli got rid of skipper Hafeez in the next over.
Balaji removed Umar Gul (12) and Saeed Ajmal (1) off successive deliveries to wrap up the Pakistan innings.
India, who lost to their opening Super Eight match to Australia by eight wickets, will have to win this match to remain in contention of semi-finals.
