JAIPUR, India - All-rounder Abdul Razzaq dazzled with bat and ball to steer Pakistan to a thrilling four wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their opening Champions Trophy Group B tie overnight.
Razzaq smashed an unbeaten 38 off just 24 balls to power Pakistan home with 11 balls to spare
after grabbing four wickets for 50 to help restrict Sri Lanka to 253 all out in 49.2 overs.
Pakistan reached 255 for six in 48.1 overs to give the crisis-ridden team a splendid start to their campaign.
Razzaq, dropped on five, joined Shoaib Malik to plunder 54 from 36 balls in the end after Pakistan needed 47 in the final five overs.
Malik, who took two for 34 bowling off spin, remained 46 not out.
The victory lifted the team, which was in turmoil the previous day after strike bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were sent home after testing positive for the steroid nandrolone in pre-tournament testing in Pakistan.
Pakistan had to choose from only 12 players for Tuesday's game with their replacement players yet to arrive.
The 26-year-old Razzaq took his last three wickets off nine deliveries to restrict the in-form Sri Lanka to 40 runs in the final 10 overs as the last five wickets fell for 28 runs.
Pakistan opener Imran Farhat hit a chancy 53 after skipper Mahela Jayawardene dropped him at slip off paceman Dilhara Fernando when he was on 25.
Sri Lankan spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuriya then both bowled tightly to remove Farhat and the explosive Shahid Afridi (1) respectively, the duo giving the charge to be caught in the deep.
Vice-captain Mohammad Yousuf hit a patient 49 and added 47 runs for the fifth wicket with Malik until he was run out following a mix-up.
Kamran Akmal added 20 but his dismissal reduced Pakistan to 201 for six in the 43rd over.
Razzaq was dropped at point by Tillakaratne Dilshan after slashing at a delivery from left-arm paceman Chaminda Vaas and the second lapse proved costly for Sri Lanka.
Malik lofted Muralitharan over long-on for six to bring up the 200-run mark before Razzaq took over, smashing Vaas for a straight six and then sealing victory with a six over long off against Fernando.
In Sri Lanka's innings, Jayasuriya dominated a 63-run opening stand with Upul Taranga (38) in better batting conditions. Jayawardene (31), Marvan Atapattu (36) and Farveez Maharoof (22) all chipped in, but none went on to make a big score.
- REUTERS
JAIPUR, India - All-rounder Abdul Razzaq dazzled with bat and ball to steer Pakistan to a thrilling four wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their opening Champions Trophy Group B tie overnight.
Razzaq smashed an unbeaten 38 off just 24 balls to power Pakistan home with 11 balls to spare
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