BOMBAY, 15 October 2006 — Paceman Farveez Maharoof’s maiden five-wicket haul paved the way for Sri Lanka’s nine-wicket victory over defending champions West Indies to top the qualifying phase of the Champions Trophy yesterday.
The 22-year-old all-rounder claimed a career-best six for 14 off nine overs to skittle West Indies for 80 in 30.4 overs in the final qualifying day-night match.
Opener Sanath Jayasuriya cracked a 47-ball 45 not out as Sri Lanka sped to the paltry target in 13.2 overs.
Man-of-the-Match Maharoof dismissed Brian Lara, Dwayne Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Smith, Carlton Baugh and Wavell Hinds in the space of 38 deliveries to rip open West Indies’ brittle middle-order.
Opting to bat, West Indies were stunned as Chaminda Vaas struck twice early on. The left-arm paceman, who was rested in the previous match against Zimbabwe, dismissed opener Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan for ducks in the first and third overs respectively.
Aggressive paceman Lasith Malinga squared up opener Shivnarine Chanderpaul and forced him to edge behind to Kumar Sangakkara for eight as West Indies crumbled to 13 for three.
West Indies looked uncomfortable on a low-playing Braborne Stadium pitch, despite posting convincing victories over Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in their previous qualifiers.
In-form Sri Lanka opener Upul Tharanga was dismissed by paceman Fidel Edwards playing on off the first ball of the innings but that was Sri Lanka’s only scare.
Jayasuriya hit nine fours as he and skipper Mahela Jayawardene (34 not out) guided their side past the winning mark with a series of aggressive shots.
