Pakistan take 2-0 lead

Medium-pacers Junaid Zia and Kamran Sajid shared six wickets Wednesday to help Young Pakistan to an easy six-wicket victory against the touring Sri Lankan Juniors in the second one-day International at the Rawalpindi Stadium.

The bowling, backed by sharp fielding, made things quite easy for the home team as they dismissed the tourists for 133 in 44 overs, and then overhauled that total in 28.1 overs, scoring 136 for four.

The victory put Pakistan 2-0 up in the five match series with a game in Sheikupura and two in Lahore still to go.

The only scar on what was otherwise a remarkable victory was a catch taken at mid wicket by Muhammad Fayyaz of Sri Lankan opener S. Perera. While television replays clearly showed that he had floored the catch off a Junaid Zia delivery, Fayyaz pretended as if he had taken it cleanly.

Umpires ZI Pasha and Iqbal Butt could not make out if it was a clean one but they did not seem to have much doubts initially as the batsman himself quickly left the crease. The catch stood and the unlucky opener trudged back after scoring 19 runs.

Pakistan coach Haroon Rasheed told Dawn that Fayyaz got confused as his team-mates quickly rushed in to celebrate. He agreed though that it was the only black mark in a wonderful day's work.

After Sri Lanka had been put in by home skipper Salman Butt, the visitors could not cope with the accurate line and length of the Pakistan pace trio comprising Junaid, Kamran and Najaf Shah. Only P. Ranawake in the middle order with 23 from 49 balls was the top run-getter while his mates could not impress much.

Junaid finished with the figures of figures of 3-34 off nine overs two of which were maiden. Kamran on the other hand bowled five maidens in his quota of ten overs and conceded only 32 runs for three wickets. Najaf was good with the ball too snapping up two wickets for 29 runs.

For their fine efforts, both Junaid and Kamran were declared joint winners of the Man of the Match award.

When Pakistan began the chase, Salman fell cheaply for five and then Khaqan Arsal (16) went with the Pakistan total standing at 35. Opener Saqib Zia scored a patient 28 off 51 balls before falling to medium fast N. Des Wijeratne who had him caught by P. Ranawake and then Kamran Sajid couldn't do much and was dismissed for just 9.

At 70 for four the Sri Lankans seemed to be coming back but then Asim Munir Butt with an unbeaten 37 and Muhammad Fayyaz who struck a brisk 28 not out made sure things do not get out of hand.

Left arm medium fast bowler N Des Wijeratne took the wickethonours for the Sri Lankans with three for 32.