Hambantota, Sri Lanka: Pakistan defeated Kenya by 205 runs in their opening World Cup group A match at the Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium on Wednesday.
Afridi unleashed mayhem in the Kenyan batting line up by taking six wickets and
Umar Gul sealed Kenyan fate at 112 in 33.1 overs.
The Kenyans initially put up a brave fight to stop the paceman Shoaib Akhtar from opening an account in 2011 World Cup but fell miserably later on, chasing the 317-target set by Pakistan. The Pak side would be happy with this 205 win.
In a make up effort after failing with the bat, Shahid Afridi took six wickets in 8 overs giving out just 16 runs.
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.