Hafeez, Gul star as Pakistan overwhelm Sri Lanka

Published December 22, 2013
Umar Gul celebrates after dismissing Sri Lanka's batsman Kusal Perera. -AFP Photo
Umar Gul celebrates after dismissing Sri Lanka's batsman Kusal Perera. -AFP Photo

SHARJAH: Mohammad Hafeez demonstrated his all-round skills to guide Pakistan to a convincing 113-run win over Sri Lanka in the third day-night international on Sunday.

The 33-year-old right-hander smashed a career best unbeaten 140 to steer Pakistan to an imperious 326-5 before Hafeez the bowler took 2-35 to dismiss Sri Lanka for 213 in 44.4 overs at Sharjah stadium.

The win gives Pakistan a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Hafeez accounted for the dangerous Dinesh Chandimal (36) and Seekkugge Prasanna (22) in an incisive spell to thwart any hopes Sri Lanka had harboured.

Paceman Umar Gul, playing his first match since March this year after a knee operation, gave Pakistan a sound start by dismissing Kusal Perera (seven) and Dimuth Karunaratne (nought) in his first spell of five overs and then had the last man Lasith Malinga to finish with 3-19.

Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan hit ten boundaries in an aggressive 62-ball knock of 59 but fell to Shahid Afridi as the Sri Lankan innings fell apart.

Kumar Sangakkara also hit a six in his 14 before he fell to paceman Junaid Khan who took 2-40.

Skipper Angelo Mathews chipped in with 44 but his dismissal signalled the end.

Earlier, Pakistan were once again helped by Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad after they were put into bat.

Hafeez, who hit 122 in the opening game in Sharjah last week, laid the foundations of the innings with opener Shehzad (81) during their second wicket stand of 160 after Pakistan lost Sharjeel Khan for two in the third over.

Hafeez, dropped by Lasith Malinga off leg-spinner Prasanna when 26, took full advantage of the chance and hit 11 boundaries and three sixes in an enthralling knock.

He took a couple off Malinga in the covers to reach his hundred, which came off 119 deliveries, and added a quickfire 75 for the fourth wicket with skipper Misbah-ul Haq who made a rapid 26-ball 40.

Shehzad set the tempo, following his 124 in Pakistan's two-wicket defeat in the second match in Dubai, with an 89-ball knock which had six fours and two sixes.

Shehzad was run out in the 31st over but Hafeez kept one end intact as Pakistan scored 105 in the last ten overs with Misbah also in top form.

Sohaib Maqsood chipped in with a run-a-ball 21, laced with two sixes and a four. Amidst the run-spree, Thisara Perera took 2-58.

The remaining two matches will be played in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Friday.

Opinion

Editorial

Taxing pensions
Updated 11 May, 2024

Taxing pensions

Tax reforms have failed to deliver because of distortions created by the FBR bureaucracy through SROs, apparently for personal gains.
Orwellian slide
11 May, 2024

Orwellian slide

IN recent years, Pakistan has made several attempts at introducing an overarching mechanism through which to check...
Terror against girls
11 May, 2024

Terror against girls

ONCE again, the ogre of terrorism is seeking the sacrifice of schoolgirls. On Wednesday, just days after the...
Enrolment drive
Updated 10 May, 2024

Enrolment drive

The authorities should implement targeted interventions to bring out-of-school children, especially girls, into the educational system.
Gwadar outrage
10 May, 2024

Gwadar outrage

JUST two days after the president, while on a visit to Balochistan, discussed the need for a political dialogue to...
Save the witness
10 May, 2024

Save the witness

THE old affliction of failed enforcement has rendered another law lifeless. Enacted over a decade ago, the Sindh...