ICC World Cup 2011 updates: Day 5

On the day 5 of the ICC World Cup 2011, Pakistan and Kenya faced each other at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota, Sri Lanka. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first.

Pakistan opened the batting innings with its openers Mohammad Hafeez  and Ahmad Shahzad. The start was very poor and Kenyans looked dominant. In first 6.5 overs, Pakistan struggled a lot and scored only 12 runs and lost its openers. After this fall, Kamran Akmal partnered with Younus Khan and put up a partnership of 88 runs that gave some boost to other players in the team. After the break of this partnership, few more good partnerships added much of score to the total. Kamran Akmal, Younus Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal  scored half centuries. After completing 50 overs, Pakistan landed up scoring a magnificent 317 runs in total for the loss of 7 wickets. Thomas Odoyo took 3 wickets for Kenya.

Kenya needed 318 runs to win the match. But this was an very difficult target as the opponents are one of the strongest teams in the world. Kenyans started off good but with lesser run rate than the required rate. First wicket fell in 1st ball of the 10th over, this shows that they were in a situation such that they had to start scoring because of the asking rate that kept on increasing. After the fall of 1st wicket, Kenya started loosing wickets in regular intervals. Only Collins Obuya showed some resistance to the Pakistani bowlers and some good knocks. He scored 47 runs that included 3 fours and 3 sixes. But the Captain Shahid Afridi bowled well  and took 5 wickets in his 8 over spell and more over his economy rate was just 2 runs per over. In 33.1 overs, Kenya lost all its 10 wickets and ended up scoring 112 runs.

Pakistan won the match by 205 runs. Man of the match went to Umar Akmal for his brilliant batting performance where he scored 71 runs in just 52 deliveries and he took a catch and one run-out.

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Asia Cup: Ist ODI

In the Inaugural match of the Asia Cup, Srilanka played Pakistan at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Rangiri. Srilanka won the toss & elected to bat first.

Upul Tharanga & Tillakaratne Dilshan opened the innings for Srilankan side. Both did not stay long as they got out scoring 11 & 18 runs respectively. Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene & Angelo Mathews help Srilanka to put up a decent total. Angelo Mathews stayed till the end of 50 overs & was unbeaten scoring 55 runs. Srilanka scored 242 runs from 50 overs loosing 9 wickets. Abdul Razzaq was very impressive on bowling side as his economy rate was just 3.37 runs per over & took a wicket. Shoiab Akthar's come back is very good as he also looked impressive with ball, his economy rate was just 4.1 runs per over & took 3 crucial wickets for his team.

Chasing the score of 242 runs set by the Srilankans, Pakistan opened its batting innings with the openers Shahzaib Hasan & Salman Butt. Pakistanis lost 2 quick wickets where they could not resist Lashith Malinga's attack. Shahid Afridi played a magnificent innings who scored 109 runs from just 76 deliveries which included 8 fours & 7 sixes. Akmal Brothers both could not stand for longer time as they both got run out. After the fall of Shahid Afridi all the pressure fell on Abdul Razzaq, but even he could not succeed as the co-strikers all got out. By the end of 47th over, Pakistan lost all its 10 wickets scoring 226 runs. Srilanka won the match by 16 runs. Man of the match was Shahid Afridi.

Todays top cricket news

From today Asia Cup tournament will be starting in which the events will be held in Srilanka this time. In the inaugural match, hosts Srilanka will be playing against Pakistan. In preivous 2 tournaments Srilankans were victorious & they will looking forward to make it a hat-trick using the favour of the home conditions.

India will be playing against the Bangladesh on 16th at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Rangiri. India has won 4 titles so far, but their last win was 15 years ago, so even Indians will be looking forward to break the jinx this time.

South Africa have won the test match against the West Indies by 163 runs. Man of the match was Dale Steyn for his brilliant performance in bowling as well as in batting. He took 5 wickets & scored 39 runs in the first innings & in second innings he took 3 more wickets.

Some updates on Cricket

As we all know that Asia Cup is going to start from 19th of this month, top teams like India, Srilanka & Pakistan will be looking ahead win the cup in which pride comes into picture. Srilanka have shown some brilliant performances against India in recent days. Some of the great names where India is been struggling with are Dilshan, Angelo Mathews, Thilan Thushara & Lashith Malinga. On the other hand, Pakistan has also shown extra-ordinary performances which was given by the Akmal brothers. Now, Shoaib Akthar's entry to the team will definitely bring a lot of trouble to the other teams. Even Pakistan will be looking forward to clinch the title. Indians are also equally strong & have to tendency to destroy all these teams, but recent performances has not helped the team. Too many injuries has affected the team & also some of the great performers like Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar & Yuvaraj Singh will not be playing in this tournament. This is definitely might impact the teams, but on the other hand we can see some young player showing amazing performances such as Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli & so on.

Currently, South Africa is playing a test match against West Indies. Today is the 4th day of the match & the 4th innings is going on. As of now, West Indies need 305 runs to win the match. Right now, West Indies have lost 5 wickets & have scored 154 runs. Dwayne Bravo & Denesh Ramdin are playing & have scored 16 & 2 runs respectively. Right now, South Africa are into the winning track as they have already removed the top order batsmen. Still 5 more wickets needed to win the match for them.