Pakistan Thrash World XI in First T20I to Mark Return of International Cricket in Style

Sep 13, 2017 at 10:49 AM

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Pakistan Thrash World XI in First T20I to Mark Return of International Cricket in Style

The crazy cricket fans of Pakistan could not have asked for a better result of the game that might herald a new dawn in Pakistan cricket, as the Men in Green thrashed the World XI by 20 runs in the first match of the historic three-match T20I series at Lahore’s Gadaffi Stadium on Tuesday (September 12).

The series is only the second international series in Pakistan after the one against Zimbabwe in 2015 since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009.

As expected, the match began before an excited crowd amid tight security and the electric atmosphere inside the stadium went a notch higher when Fakhar Zaman began the proceedings by slamming consecutive fours off the first two balls of the innings. The joy, however, was short lived as Morne Morkel sent back Pakistan’s Champions Trophy hero two balls later when he had the left-handed batsman caught at slip.

But Faf du Plessis’ decision to invite Pakistan to bat first soon backfired, as Babar and Ahmed Shehzad added 122 runs for the second wicket to lay the foundation for a big total. Some quick wickets threatened to derail Pakistan’s innings, but senior batsman Shoaib Malik not only steadied the ship, but also propelled the hosts to a huge total by scoring 38 off just 20 balls.

Sarfraz Ahmed & Co. amassed 48 runs off the final three over to finish on 197 for seven. Azam top-scored for the hosts with 86 off just 52 balls including ten fours and a couple of sixes.

In reply, the visitors made a cautious start with Tamim Iqbal and Hashim Amla adding 43 runs for the first wicket. However, they were dealt a major blow in their pursuit of the big score when Rumman Raeed sent back both the openers in quick succession to leave World XI reeling at 48 for two.

Captain Faf du Plessis and Tim Paine then steadied the ship with a 53-run stand, but their departure in quick succession all but tilted the game in the home team’s side.

With the likes of Thisara Perera and Darren Sammy still to bat, there were bleak hopes for the visitors, but the home side never allowed the hard-hitters to go for the big shots, as World XI were restricted to 177 for seven in the allotted 20 overs.

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