Hafeez seals Pakistan win

Updated on: 12 July,2015 05:19 AM IST |
AFP |

A dominant all-round performance by Mohammad Hafeez steered Pakistan to a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international on Saturday

Hafeez

Dambulla (Sri Lanka): A dominant all-round performance by Mohammad Hafeez steered Pakistan to a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international on Saturday.

Hafeez
Hafeez

The off-spinner shrugged off concerns about his bowling action to grab four wickets as Pakistan, electing to field after winning the toss, kept Sri Lanka down to 255-8 in 50 overs.

Hafeez then hammered a stroke-filled 103 to lead the tourists past the target in 45.2 overs, giving them the lead in the five-match series. Ninth-ranked Pakistan need to win the series to stay in contention for a place in the eight-nation Champions Trophy in England in 2017. Sri Lanka, currently ranked fifth, are assured of taking part in the tournament.

Hafeez, who was reported for a suspect action during the preceding Test series and underwent tests in Chennai last week.

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