Sohail earns Pakistan revenge win

Cricket

Cricket

Pakistan, still smarting from defeats in the recent home Test and one- day series by Sri Lanka, owed much to Aamir Sohail for helping them gain a measure of revenge yesterday with an 82-run victory over the Sri Lankans in the Champions' Trophy in Sharjah.

Sohail scored 85, building an opening stand of 107 with Salim Elahi, to help Pakistan to 264 for 7 from their 50 overs and then took four wickets as Sri Lanka laboured to 182 for 8.

Sri Lanka's batsmen struggled against the spin trio of Sohail, Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed. Off-spinner Saqlain struck in his first over, dismissing the opener Sanath Jayasuriya for 24 and, in his next, bowled Aravinda de Silva to reduce Sri Lanka to 51 for 3.

But the day belonged to Sohail, who returned a career-best 4 for 22 after mesmerising the Sri Lankans with excellent variations in line and length.

CHAMPIONS' TROPHY (Sharjah): Pakistan 264 for 7 (Aamir Sohail 85, Salim Elahi 50, Inzamam-ul-Haq 69); Sri Lanka 182 for 8 (Aamir Sohail 4-22). Pakistan won by 82 runs.