Afridi stars as Pakistan thump Lanka

DUBAI, Nov 12 (AFP): Leg-spinner Shahid Afridi capped an excellent return to international cricket with three wickets as Pakistan thumped Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the first day-night match here on Friday. Afridi took 3-27 in his first match since returning from a six-month exile, helping Pakistan dismiss Sri Lanka for a paltry 131 in 40.3 overs before Younis Khan and Imran Farhat hit fifties to anchor the chase at Dubai stadium. Pakistan lost Mohammad Hafeez (five) in the second over of their innings but Farhat added 103 for the second wicket stand with Younis Khan (56 not out) to ensure a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Farhat hit leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna for his seventh boundary to reach his ninth one-day fifty but with only 17 needed he was trapped leg-before wicket by paceman Suranga Lakmal for 50. Younis, whose fifty was his 45th in one-dayers, took the team past the target in just 21.5 overs. He hit seven boundaries during his 57-ball knock. Pakistan were on course for a comprehensive win thanks in large part to Afridi, who finished with 3-27 and was ably supported by Saeed Ajmal (2-21) and Mohammad Hafeez (2-24) as Sri Lanka lost their last seven wickets for 54 after opting to bat. Dinesh Chandimal top-scored with 28 while opener Tharanga Paranavitna (25) and Mahela Jayawardene (24) were other notable scorers but none went on to make a big score against some lethal spin bowling. Captain Misbah-ul Haq praised his bowling. "It wasn't a bad pitch, but all credit goes to the bowlers as they kept relentless pressure on the batsmen and then Farhat and Younis batted well to ensure a win," said Misbah, a little surprised by how comfortably Pakistan won the match. Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan said poor batting was to blame. "We didn't start well and once you were bowled out for 131, then it leaves you with no fight," said Dilshan, who defended decision to bat first. Sri Lanka lost Dilshan in the second over of the match, bowled by paceman Aizaz Cheema for four. With their captain back in the pavilion, Sri Lanka did not recover as wickets continued to fall, in-form Kumar Sangakkara falling for five after struggling through 24 deliveries. Chandimal and Paranavitana added 30 for the third wicket before Pakistan's spinners ran riot, grabbing the last seven wickets for a mere 54 runs. Afridi, who only last month decided to go back on a decision to retire from international cricket in protest at being sacked as one-day captain, struck in his first over of the match. Chandimal hit him for a six off his fourth ball, but the leg-spinner had him leg-before the very next ball. Chandimal hit two sixes and a four off 31 balls. The 31-year-old Afridi then dismissed Prasanna (five) and Lasith Malinga (11) during his incisive 9.3 overs spell. Jayawardene and Paranavitana were the others to provide some resistance but they too departed to spinners. The second match will also be played in Dubai on Monday. The remaining matches are scheduled for Dubai (November 18), Sharjah (November 20) and Abu Dhabi (November 23). The teams will also play a Twenty20 in Abu Dhabi on November 25. Sri Lanka U Tharanga c Cheema b Hafeez 25 T Dilshan b Cheema 4 K Sangakkara c Ahmed b Razzaq 5 D Chandimal lbw b Afridi 28 M Jayawardene c Razzaq b Ajmal 24 A Mathews run out 10 K Kulasekara c Gul b Hafeez 0 S Prasanna st Ahmed b Afridi 5 L Malinga b Afridi 11 S Lakmal st Ahmed b Ajmal 0 D Fernando not out 0 Extras: (lb5, nb1, w13) 19 Total: 131 Pakistan M Hafeez c Kulasekara b Lakmal 5 Imran Farhat lbw b Lakmal 50 Younis Khan not out 56 Sarfraz Ahmed not out 4 Extras: (lb6, nb4, w7) 17 Total: (for two wkts) 132 Result: Pakistan won by eight wickets. 4 Mohsin happy with players handling of spot-fixing scandal DUBAI, Nov 12 (AFP): Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan on Saturday told AFP he was satisfied with his team's ability to put behind them the spot-fixing scandal which ended in three of their former team-mates being handed down prison sentences in England. Former Test captain Salman Butt and pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were sent to prison over their roles in fixing parts of the Lord's Test against England last year. Khan agreed the scandal could have been distracting for his team during their series against Sri Lanka here in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). "The spot-fixing saga was sad," Khan told AFP. "I made sure that all the boys should stay away from it mentally and I am glad that the boys responded very well and are performing well." Pakistan won the three-Test series 1-0 and went 1-0 up in the first of five matches by registering an eight wicket win on Friday. The second match will be played in Dubai on Monday. Mohsin, 56, said he was satisfied with his team's performance. "I am 90 percent satisfied with the team's performance and since there is always room for improvement we are looking for that in all the departments of the game," said Khan, a former opener who is also the current chief selector. Khan said the squad had shown responsibility and character. "The best thing about this set of players is that they are assuming their responsibilities and they know that playing for the country is the biggest honour for them," said Khan, who has also been retained as coach for the Bangladesh tour. Khan was made coach for an interim period after Waqar Younis quit the post in September because of health problems. After the one-day series, Pakistan play a Twenty20 in Abu Dhabi on November 26 before leaving for Dhaka, where they open the tour with a T20 game against Bangladesh three days later. Pakistan also play three one-day matches and two Tests in Bangladesh. Khan praised veteran Misbah-ul Haq's captaincy. "Misbah is doing a sensible job," said Khan of the 37-year-old captain. "When ten players are in support things become easier for the captain and Misbah is doing a great job. "Our combined task is to make the players mentally strong and make sure that the team does not lose track, which is very important," said Khan, vowing to serve the country in every capacity. "My motto is to serve the country because I owe it to my country," said Khan, who played 48 Tests and 75 one-dayers between 1977-86.