Butt fifty puts Pakistan in driver's seat
>> Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 1st ODI, Karachi
Butt fifty puts Pakistan in driver's seat
25 overs Pakistan 101 for 0 (Butt 55*, Manzoor 43*) need a further 119 to beat Sri Lanka 219 (Sangakkara 49, Anjum 4-42, Gul 3-30)
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
After restricting Sri Lanka to 219, Pakistan made solid progress towards a series lead with a solid unbeaten opening stand of 101 between Salman Butt and Khurram Manzoor. Pakistan's domination in the game started when they nabbed three quick top-order wickets and their discipline in all three departments ensured the initiative never slipped. Butt remained unbeaten on 55 while Manzoor survived a nervy start to press towards his own half-century.
It was a patient start by the openers who were more intent on protecting their wickets and setting a solid base. It was a different approach to Sri Lanka's earlier in the day, as the batsmen saw off the opening bowlers, who kept things fairly tight. That the Powerplays cost only 32 and 23 runs respectively didn't cause too many worries in the Pakistan camp as they chased a below par score.
The consistent Butt carried on his solid touch with some neat flicks past midwicket off Nuwan Kulasekara, who wasn't quite as effective when he dropped it back of a length. Thilan Thushara focused on banging the ball in and forcing Butt to duck under a few bouncers, hoping the batsman would get frustrated. Butt's only false stroke was an attempted upper cut off a steep delivery from Thushara but otherwise, he was watchful around his off stump.
His partner wasn't quite so assured though and often made the mistake of shuffling across too far and cramping himself for room to cut. Manzoor played out several dot balls, shouldered arms to Kulasekara deliveries which skidded through, and when he realised the off side wasn't his favoured area, he shuffled across to full delivery by Farveez Maharoof and improvised with a flick past midwicket.
The question was whether Pakistan will hold their own against the spinners. Muttiah Muralitharan, introduced just after the second Powerplay, didn't get much turn and was smacked off the back foot by Manzoor, who applied the same treatment to Ajantha Mendis. He was duly punished for ten runs in his first over, which included two forceful shots by Manzoor square of the wicket on either side.
Butt looked comfortable at the other end and pushed Mendis to deep cover to bring up his tenth ODI fifty. Manzoor survived a close stumping chance off Murali but that was probably Sri Lanka's best chance of breaking through.
45.2 overs Sri Lanka 219 (Sangakkara 49, Anjum 4-42, Gul 3-30) v Pakistan
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