Composed Misbah Guides Pakistan To Victory

Pakistan 252-6 (Misbah 91 no) beat
England 250-8 (Root 85) by four wickets
World Cup warm-up game, Sydney
Scorecard

Misbah-ul-Haq played another characteristic composed innings to see Pakistan through a tricky chase against England with support from Umar Akmal in the warm-up game at Sydney.

Earlier, England won the toss and chose to bat on a wicket that was a little up and down as well as sluggish at times.

Moeen Ali (4) was dismissed cheaply before a 64-run partnership between Gary Balance (57) and Alex Hales (31) helped consolidate the innings.

Quick wickets in the middle slowed things down drastically even as Eoin Morgan (0) had another forgettable outing.

But, the innings was resurrected by Joe Root (85) who put on 60 in quick time with Chris Jordan (31) to take the innings from 184 for six to 244 before being dismissed in the penultimate over.

England finished eventually on 250, a par score on the pitch.

For Pakistan, leg spinner Yasir Shah (3-45) was the pick of the bowlers, assisted beautifully Sohail Khan (2-47).

The Pakistan chase was shaky, as both openers, Nasir Jamshed (1) and Ahmed Shehzad (2), were dismissed under five overs.

Younis Khan (19) could never really take off the blocks, which meant Pakistan was in relative trouble at 43 for three in the 14th over and 78 for four in the 23rd over when Akmal (65) joined Misbah (91 not out).

The duo put on 133-run stand for the fifth wicket to see Pakistan to relative safety.

Although, the chase wobbled towards the end with the fall of Akmal and Sohaib Maqsood (20), Misbah remained unbeaten to ensure Pakistan chase the target down with seven balls to spare.

For England, the opening bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad picked two wickets each.

All in all, it turned out to be a well-fought match, with Misbah’s composed, nerveless innings proving to be the difference.

© Cricket World 2015