Pakistan Wins their opening match in Over 50s World Cup
Pakistan Over 50s team has begun their World Cup campaign in an emphatic manner after defeating Wales Over 50s side by 7 wickets in their opening game played at Claremont Cricket Club, Cape Town South Africa.
The Wales team after winning the toss opted to bat first. Steve Maddock fell early in the process as he was Runout when the team had only acquired 12 runs. Accurate channels from all Pakistani bowlers ensured that the Welsh side never really got going and the wickets continued to tumble from time to time. Ultimately, Wales managed 159-9 in their allotted 45 overs. Iwan Rees stood as the highest scorer with his knock of 55(82). Muhammad Jaffar Qureshi picked three scalps for 27 runs. Whereas, Rehan Rauf and Naeem Tayyab chipped in with 2-29 and 2-40 respectively.
In reply, Pakistan had an edgy start as the team lost two wickets for 11 runs. The third wicket fell when the scoreboard had 31 runs. Asif Hamayun and Muhammad Jawed then made sure that there were no further hiccups. The duo steered the ship for Men in Green with an outstanding partnership of 133 runs. Asif Hamayun played a superb knock of 68(86) which included 6 fours and 1 maximum. Muhammad Jawed was equally flamboyant with his inning of 66(75) runs which was composed of 7 fours and 1 Six. Eventually, Pakistan achieved the required total in 32nd over. Malith Madurasinghe grabbed three wickets while giving away 34 runs. Asif Hamayun was declared ‘Player of the Match’.
In other matches played on the opening day of the World Cup, From Pool A, Sri Lanka edged past Australia after a thrilling combat by four runs. New Zealand outclassed Zimbabwe by 225 runs. West Indies defeated Canada by 56 runs.
In Pool B, South Africa clinched an exciting contest against India by four runs. Whereas, England defeated Namibia by a hefty margin of 204 runs.