Aamir and Ajmal help Pakistan reach 233 for 9
Ranjan ANANDAPPA in South Africa
New Wanderers, Johannesburg - Mohammed Aamir and Saeed Ajmal took
Pakistan past the 200 run mark when they added 35 runs for the last
wicket as Pakistan totalled 233 for 9 in the second semi final against
New Zealand here in Wanderers.
The New Zealand bowlers stuck to their task admirably during the
first half of their 50 overs. Pacies Shane Bond, Ian Butler shared three
early wickets among themselves as the Kiwis bowling and fielding were
keeping batsmen in check very well.
Kyle Mills was replaced by Ian Butler He was hit for three fours by
Imran Nazir in his first over, but Butler struck back quickly in his
next over when Kamran Akmal in the quest of increasing the tempo drove
one upishly over extra cover to be caught by Redmond. The Pakistani
batsmen were never allowed to dominate they were 102 for 4 in the 25th
over after captain Younus Khan was dismissed by his opposite number
Vettori. However, with the advent of the younger Umar Akmal, joined by
Mohammed Yousuf Pakistan proceeded without further alarms adding 80 runs
for the fifth wicket.
Umar Akmal got into his grove and played extra farely well, and when
just as New Zealand seem to be losing the initiative, Umar Akmal was
judged leg before to Vettori. But anybody who saw the TV replay had to
believe that the umpire may have been a little astray in his judgement
Umar Akmal’s 55 came in 62 deliveries and contained seven fours.
With the dismissal of Umar Akmal Pakistan ushered a crisis situation
, they lost three wickets for 17 runs and was in danger whether they
could pass the 200 run mark. But a last moment ditch between Mohammed
Aamir and Saeed Ajmal took them past the 200 to end up with 233 in their
allotted 50 overs. Aamir was unbeaten on 19 facing 20 balls and Saeed
Ajmal was not out 14 facing 17 balls with two fours.
PAKISTAN
Kamran Akmal c Redmond b Butler 24
Imran Nazir c Taylor b Bond 28
Shoaib Malik c Taylor b Butler 02
Younus Khan c Taylor b Vettori 15
Mohammad Yousuf b Mills 45
Umar Akmal lbw b Vettori 55
Shahid Afridi c McCullum b Butler 04
Rana Naved-ul Hasan c Guptill b Vettori 08
Umar Gul c Broom b Butler 06
Mohammad Aamir not out 19
Saeed Ajmal not out 14
Extras (lb6, nb2, w5) 13
TOTAL (for nine wickets; 50 overs) 233
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-46 (Nazir), 2-61 (Malik), 3-69 (K. Akmal), 4-86 (Younus),
5-166 (Yousuf), 6-181 (U. Akmal), 7-183 (Afridi), 8-192 (Gul),
9-198 (Rana).
BOWLING: Mills 10-0-46-1 (w2), Bond 10-1-54-1 (nb1, w1), Butler 10-0-44-4 (w2),
Franklin 8-0-33-0 (nb1), Vettori 10-2-43-3, Elliott 2-0-7-0. |
