 Pakistan survive scare to beat Hong Kong
25th Jun 2008 09:01 IST
Agencies
Earlier, Alam (63 not out) and Tanvir (59) shared a crucial eight-wicket 100-run stand to propel Pakistan to 288/9.
Pakistan, electing to bat, were struggling at 161/7 against minnows before the spin-pace combo of Alam and Tanvir joined hands to lift the hosts from what appeared to be an embarrassing situation.
Their top-order failed to build on to good starts and surprisingly struggled to negotiate a nascent attack, which did exceptionally well to put their fancied opponents under pressure.
Nadeem Ahmed ripped apart the Pakistan middle order to return brilliant figures of 4/51 after Afzal Ahmed and Irfan Ahmed removed openers.
Pacer Irfan (2/59) chipped in with two wickets.
Pakistan skipper Malik (35) opened the batting with Salman Butt (0). Malik sizzled for a while, hitting seven boundaries in his short stay, before becoming the victim of Irfan.
The hosts batsmen did not build up partnerships and only Younis Khan, who struck a superb 67 showed will to stay at the crease.
Younis played crucial knock, adorned with eight fours and one six, up the order to save his team from blushes.
After big hitter Afridi (4) and Misbah-ul-Haq (2) failed to wield the magic of their batting prowess, Alam and Tanvir ensured they put enough runs on the board for themselves.
While Alam played patiently, building his innings ball after ball, Tanvir's knock was mixture of aggression and calm.
Alam consumed 77 balls for his unbeaten 63 and helped himself with three boundaries.
Tanvir contributed a useful 59, aided by six boundaries, to give his team relief. |
