Match reports

ICC Champions Trophy, 2006-07

ICC Champions Trophy, 2006-07

15-Apr-2007
At Jaipur, October 17, 2006 (day/night). Pakistan won by four wickets. Pakistan 2 pts. Toss: Sri Lanka.
Pakistan battled against the odds and sneaked a memorable win in their opening match. There had been no shortage of drama over the preceding fortnight - Pakistan's captaincy had changed hands twice, and a new board chairman had taken charge - but what really shook the cricket world, on the eve of this game, was Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, Pakistan's fast-bowling spearheads, being sent home after testing positive for nandrolone. And, as if having only 12 players to choose from was not enough, Pakistan also had to contend with some Hindu fundamentalists demonstrating outside the ground, while inside an even more violent demonstration was unleashed by Jayasuriya, who lashed 48 in only 35 balls. But his dismissal provided Pakistan with an opening, one their spinners exploited with 25 accurate overs (they ended with combined figures of four for 105). Abdul Razzaq mopped up the tail, but it was his thunderous 38 with the bat - he came in with 53 needed off 47 balls - for which this game will be remembered. He was helped by a heavy dew, which played havoc with the spinners' grips, and which may also have contributed to Dilshan dropping him at point when he had made only five.
Man of the Match: Abdul Razzaq.