Wisden
Ary Gold Cup

Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 2000-01

At Sharjah, April 13 (day/night). Pakistan won by 28 runs. Toss: Pakistan. International debut: Kashif Raza.

Pakistan's third successive victory secured their place in the final. Shahid Afridi and Imran Nazir were quickly brought down to earth, both falling in the fourth over. But Saeed Anwar and Inzamam-ul-Haq carried on with their second successive century stand. They became the first two batsmen to score 2,000 runs at Sharjah, and Anwar went on to 8,000 in his 221 one-day internationals at all venues. Despite three late wickets from Fernando, Pakistan reached 278, the highest total of the tournament to date. Most of the Sri Lankan batsmen made a start, but Afridi pinned back their reply with three mid-innings wickets. Although Vaas retorted with an unbeaten 59-ball fifty, he could not quite achieve the required rate.
Man of the Match: Saeed Anwar.

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