Pakistan posted 130 for 7 after their arch-rivals India sent them in to bat in the first match of the Super 10 stage of the World Twenty20 on Friday. The Indian bowlers did an outstanding job, breaking partnerships regularly to prohibit Pakistan batsmen from hitting the top gear at any stage of their innings at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. Opener Kamran Akmal (8) ran himself out in comical fashion when he wanted a leg-bye, which was turned down by Ahmed Shehzad on the other end a trifle late. Yuvraj Singh, one of the best fielders in his side, dropped a difficult chance when Mohammad Hafeez was on 5, running in from deep midwicket. Hafeez (15), in search of a big shot, top-edged to Bhuvaneshwar Kumar at deep cover in Ravindra Jadeja’s first over. Moments after that, Ahmed Shehzad (22) charged Amit Mishra down the track to miss the pitch of the ball and was easily stumped by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. A 50-run fourth wicket stand between Umar Akmal (33) perished when Shoaib Malik (18) sent an Amit Mishra delivery flying to Suresh Raina at long-off. Umar Akmal (33), intending to score quickly, found a top-edge off Mohammad Shami for a catch to Suresh Raina at long-off. Soon after that, Shahid Afridi who had a magical Asia Cup, fell to the pressure of getting quick runs; caught by Suresh Raina at deep midwicket off Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the penultimate over. Had it not for Sohaib Maqsood, who smashed a quickfire 21 off 11 balls before being run out in the last ball, Pakistan’s would have put far less a total. Amit Mishra bagged two wickets for India, while Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami picked one each.
