Hambantota, Sri Lanka: Afridi unleashed mayhem in the Kenyan batting line up by taking six wickets at the Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium on Wednesday. Kenya collapsed 112 for 9 in 33 overs after putting up an initial fight chasing the 317-target set by Pakistan.
In a make up effort after failing with the bat, Shahid Afridi took six wickets in 8 overs giving out just 16 runs.
Despite a good show, Shoaib Akhtar is yet to open his 2011 World Cup account.
It all began from the Akmal brothers, who ruined the Kenyan party by sending back Seren Waters and Maurice Ouma, who were giving a slow but steady start.
Waters and Ouma kept their cool against Shoaib Akhtar but went behind Abdul Razzaq to steal runs. No wonder then, it needed a run out to break the 37-run opening wicket partnership. Umar Akmal scored a direct hit to send Waters back to the pavlion and Umar Gul found the edge of Ouma, which landed safe in Kamran’s hands.
Umar Akmal was one of four batsmen to scored half-centuries to help Pakistan overcame a sluggish start to post 317-7 against Kenya in their opening match here.