Bangalore: Imran Nazir and Abdul Razzaq shared a century partnership for the first wicket to complement the effort by their team's bowlers as Pakistan XI thrashed World XI by nine wickets and 15 balls to spare in the second match of the ICL 20s World Series at the Lal bahadur Shastri Stadium in Hyderabad tonight.
Nazir and Razzaq made light of the target of 131 runs that had been set by the World XI as they put on an opening partnership of 119 runs in 16.1 overs to snuff out any hopes the opposition had of fighting their way back into the match. Nazir (69) and Razzaq (55 not out), both scored their third half-centuries in the Indian Cricket League, as none of the World XI bowlers were able to make the early breakthrough.
And, by the time part-time spinner Matthew Elliott caught Nazir off his own bowling, it was late in the day for the World XI to have any chance of winning the match. Fittingly, Razzaq hit the winning shot as he smacked an Upul Chandana delievry to the fence.
Earlier, Pakistan's bowlers came back well to bwol out the World XI for 130 in their allotted 20 overs after Elliott and Ian Harvey had put on 41 runs for the first wicket in five overs. Shahid Nazir (2-12), who was the most economical of Pakistan's bowlers, got the first breakthrough when he dismissed Elliott. Nazir also cleaned up Damien Martyn (4) to leave the World XI struggling at 47 for 3 in the ninth over.
Russel Arnold, who stayed unbeaten on 23, and Lou Vincent put together a partnership of 32 runs for the sixth wicket in just over three overs to bring their team back in the game. But, after Razzaq dismissed Vincent (26), the World XI's innings stumbled, and they were only able to make 18 runs in the last three overs.
Arshad Khan (3-24), Rana Naved-ul-Hasan (2-21) and Razzaq (2-29) were also among the wickets for Pakistan XI, but Shabbir Ahmed, who has been a standout performer for Chennai Superstars, gave away 37 runs in his four overs.
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