Cricket – World Cup:Shahid Afridi took his maiden five-wicket World Cup haul as Pakistan crushed sloppy Kenya by 205 runs in a one-sided Group A match in Hambantota today.
Afridi returned the best World Cup figures by a Pakistan bowler with his spell of five for 16 off eight overs as Kenya were bundled out for 112 in 33.1 overs.
Leg-spinner Afridi tore apart Kenya's middle and lower order after half-centuries from Misbah-ul-Haq, Younus Khan and the Akmal brothers helped Pakistan post 317 for seven.
Kenya's cricketing pedigree came into question once again as they bowled a world-record 37 wides and again failed to bat out their 50 overs.
Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan overcame the early loss of openers Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad with a 98-run stand for the third wicket between Kamran Akmal and Younus Khan.
Kamran Akmal brought up his half-century off 64 balls, but was caught behind after adding four more in the next over off Shem Ngoche.
Younus also lost his wicket after reaching his fifty from 66 balls - trapped lbw by Steve Tikolo - but the former captain had shared a 98-run stand with Akmal and then 45 with Misbah.
Misbah and new batsman Umar Akmal then decimated the lacklustre Kenya bowling, making 70 runs during a powerplay.
Pakistan's Test captain brought up his 50 in 58 balls while Umar Akmal took just 40 balls to reach his first World Cup half-century.
In all Pakistan added 112 in the last 10 overs but Kenya's bowlers succeeded in seeing off Misbah (65 off 69 balls), Umar Akmal (71 off 52 balls) and Afridi (seven), with the last two wickets claimed by Thomas Odoyo, who returned figures of three for 41.
In reply, Kenya made a dismal start with half their batsmen back in the pavilion with just 85 on the board after 28 overs.
Maurice Ouma (16), Seren Waters (17) and Tikolo (13) tried to dig in but departed attempting to open up with the run rate mounting.
Afridi exploited the situation and struck twice in successive overs to get rid of
Tanmay Mishra and captain Jimmy Kamande, while Mohammad Hafeez dismissed Rakep Patel for a duck as Kenya slipped to 87 for six.
Collins Obuya (47 off 58 balls) waged a lone battle as Kenya crawled past 100, but Afridi denied him a half-century with his double strike, Thomas Odoyo being the other victim.
Kenya were soon 112 for nine after a mix-up saw Nehemiah Odhiambo run out, while Umar Gul completed the job in the next over.
Pakistan 317-7(Kamran Akmal 55, Younus Khan 50, Misbah-ul-Haq 65, Umar Akmal 71; T.Odoyo 3-41)
Kenya 112 all out(Shahid Afridi 5-16)