Just like Ireland before them at the 50-over World Cup, Scotland punched well above their weight against a strangely listless Pakistan at Kingsmead, but a devastating allround show from Shahid Afridi and some penetrative quick bowling from Umar Gul eased the path to a comfortable 51-run victory, reports Cricinfo.
When Pakistan slumped to 50 for 3, and again when Fraser Watts played some punishing shots at the start of the innings, there was a glimmer of an upset, but Younis Khan's 41 and Afridi's intervention with the ball ensured that there was no danger of that ignominious Sabina Park defeat being reprised.
Watts made a brilliant 46 from just 35 balls before his attempt to wallop Mohammad Hafeez out of the ground flew to Imran Nazir at short third man.
By then, Afridi already had the wickets of Gavin Hamilton and Neil McCullum, both to slogs into the deep, and when he added the scalps of Dougie Brown and Colin Smith, the contest was effectively over.
Craig Wright, the former captain who had starred with 3 for 29 added 14 with the bat, but with Gul's yorkers proving lethal, the last few overs were a formality.
A one-sided rout certainly wasn't on the cards early on, with John Blain bowling an outstanding first spell that was well backed up by the fielders.
Dewald Nel, born in South Africa, played his part with a second-over maiden to Salman Butt, and the pressure built up cost Nazir his wicket, hoicking Blain to deep cover.
Pakistan 171 (Younis 41, Wright 3-29) beat Scotland 120 (Watts 46, Afridi 4-19, Gul 4-25) by 51 runssss
Shahid Afridi, Gul overwhelm Scotland
FE Team | Published: September 13, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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