COLOMBO, 20 March 2006 — Abdul Razzaq anchored Pakistan during a hard-fought four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second One-Day International here yesterday.
The all-rounder struck a defiant 41 not out as Pakistan overcame a top-order collapse to pass the home side’s meager 130 and take an unbeatable 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The first match was abandoned due to rain on Friday. Razzaq played an uncharacteristically subdued 101-ball knock. He did not hit a boundary off the first 98 deliveries before unleashing some big shots to seal a memorable win with over five overs to spare.
Razzaq, who had earlier in the day bagged two wickets, hit seamer Nuwan Kulasekara for a four, a six and then a winning four through mid-wicket off consecutive balls.
He added 35 for the sixth wicket with Mohammad Yousuf (26) and an unfinished 52 for the next with Kamran Akmal (20) after the other batsmen failed to apply themselves on a pitch not conducive to strokeplay.
Pakistan came under pressure after throwing away their first few wickets.
Hard-hitting opener Shahid Afridi (two) skied a ball from paceman Lasith Malinga for wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara to take a well-judged catch.
Left-hander Salman Butt (four) chased a ball outside off stump from seamer Farveez Maharoof, edging the ball to Sangakkara. Younis Khan (four) was run out soon afterward.
Captain Inzamam ul-Haq and Shoaib Malik also contributed little as Pakistan sank to a dismal 47-5 before Razzaq and Yousuf steadied the innings.
Earlier, Sri Lanka crashed for just 130 as Pakistan’s seamers justified Inzamam’s decision to field first, ripping through the top and middle-order to reduce the home side to 56-7 by the 21st over.
