WC Pak-Ken: Pakistan lose openers early

Agencies

Hambantota, 23 February 2011: Pakistan made the most unauspicious start to their World Cup campaign as they lost both the openers inside 10 overs to discpilined bowling by Kenya in their opening game at Hambantota on Wednesday.

 

Earlier, Pakistan opening batsmen Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmad Shahzad found it tough to break free against a disciplined new-ball bowling after Shahid Afridi won the toss and elected to bat.

 

Pakistan, who lost key players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir after the spot-fixing scandal that rocked world cricket, opened their World Cup campaign against the Kenyans who lost their first match to New Zealand.

 

Pakistan went in with two specialists seamers in Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul, with Abdul Razzaq performing the role of a fast-bowling all-rounder.

 

 

Kenya were skittled for just 69 in their opener - their lowest World Cup score and the fifth worst in tournament history - and will be hoping to give good competition to the 1992 World Cup winners and shrug off their 10-wicket drubbing at the hands of New Zealand.

 

Teams:

 

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi(c), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar

 

Kenya: Jimmy Kamande(c), Maurice Ouma, Seren Waters, Collins Obuya, Steve Tikolo, Rakep Patel, Tanmay Mishra, Thomas Odoyo, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Shem Ngoche, Elijah Otieno