A lot was on stake on Day 16 of cricket world cup 2015. Sri Lanka was playing against England. Both the teams were playing for their survival and revival in the world cup. Sri Lanka was coming into this match after a comprehensive win against Bangladesh. England too was confident as they won their last match against Scotland. Second match was between Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Pakistan was still searching for its first win in this world cup while Zimbabwe had shown lot of fighting spirit in this world cup. Seeing Pakistan's performance against India and West Indies, Zimbabwe had upper hand in it.
Game 22: Sri Lanka vs England
England won the toss and Morgan elected to bat first. England was off to a great start. It looked like they were playing at home with the kind of start they got. England brought up 50 in 7th over without loosing even a single wicket. Surprisingly Bell was the aggressor in that partnership. Malinga and Lakmal were leaking runs in their opening spell. So Mathews brought Dilshan in the 9th over. It was a bit surprise but it gave Mathews a wicket on the other end. Moeen Ali gave it away again. Bringing Dilshan into the attack doesn't only gave Mathews a wicket but Dilshan himself too picked up a wicket. He took a diving catch to dismiss Ballance. Ballance's off balance with the bat continues. I don't know why England didn't try Hales at no. 3. Even Bopara could have done wonders at that number. Anyways Root joined Bell in the middle and they added 40 runs together. England crossed 100 run mark in 20th over and at that stage Bell was on 49. In 21st over, Bell played a straightish half-volley on to the stumps. Bell got out just one short of his half century. England were 101/3 when Morgan came into the middle.
Morgan started another cautious innings while Root kept the scoreboard ticking. Root and Morgan added 60 runs to the total and just before the batting powerplay Morgan got out. Root completed his half century before Morgan got out and England reached to 161 at loss of four wickets at drinks. James Taylor started supporting Root who took the responsibility of scoring runs on his shoulders after his 50. He reached to his 50 in 65 balls but he completed his century in 100 balls. Root will remember this 100 for long long time. 250 came up in 45th over and both of them were pretty comfortable on the crease by then but England got double blow quickly after that. First Taylor got out on 25 and then Root on 121. England was 265/6 in 47th over when Root got out. Buttler was still in the middle and his cameo took England past 300 run mark. England ended up at total of 309 thanks to Buttler's 19 ball 39. It was good score hence it was tough task ahead of Sri Lanka.
Dilshan and Thirimanne began the chase. Thirimanne had struggled against away going deliveries in this world cup and he got one in the 4th over but Buttler made a mess of it. Thirmanne got a life early in the innings. It was enough to put England's confidence down. After that Dilshan and Thirmanne started hitting a boundary every over which is key if you are chasing 300+ runs. Dilshan was coming of a hundred against Bangladesh so he was in good touch and Thirimanne was no mood of giving it away after that chance. They carried on in that fashion for 10 odd overs until Moeen Ali came into the attack. Moeen Ali kept it tight but first Thirimanne brought his 50 then Sri Lanka reached 100 run mark in 19th over. Along with reaching to 100 run mark Sri Lanka lost Dilshan in that over. Dilshan got out on 44 then Sangakkara and Thirimanne started playing sensible cricket. They didn't wanted to loose too many wickets so they kept it simple. Soon Sri Lanka reached 150 run mark, Sangakkara completed his half century and then Sri Lanka reached 200 run mark. Thirimanne became slow as he was nearing his 100 while Sangakkara launched himself after his 50. First Thirimanne completed his 100 off 117 balls then Sangakkara completed his 100 off just 70 balls. Then Sri Lanka won the match in 48th over. Sangakkara was judged man of the match. Sangakkara's form is back just at the right time for Sri Lanka.
Game 23: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe
Pakistan won the toss and surprisingly Misbah chose to bat first. He should have gone with his strength and should have opted to field first and ball Zimbabwe out early. In this way Pakistan would have won it easily but Misbah chose to bat first and it proved to be one hell of decisions. As Chatara first removed Jamshed with the short delivery then Shehzad with a peach of a delivery on duck. Pakistan again was 4/2. The great Pakistan batting collapse was on the cards again. After the wicket of Shehzad, Misbah arrived to the crease. He has been only hope for Pakistan in this world cup. He once again tried his best to bring Pakistan out of trouble. He made two cruicial partberships with Haris Sohail and Umar Akmal. When Umar Akmal got out Pakistan was 127/4. Then Afridi came to bat on his birthday but Williams knocked Afridi's off stump on the second ball he played.
127/5. Everything was on Maqsood and Misbah then as they were the last recognised pair. They carried on till 155 and Maqsood got out. At that stage it looked like that Zimbabwe will wrap Pakistan's innings under 200 and win the match comfortably but then Pakistan' s most experienced bowler Wahab Riaz stood up to the occasion. Riaz hit half century and took Pakistan to 235 at the end of 50 overs. Riaz's innings was blessing in disguise for Pakistan. Though Pakistan posted 235 on the board but it was chasable and Zimbabwe has shown potential to chase it in its previous matches. So still Zimbabwe has the upper hand in the match. Chibhabha and Sikandar began for Zimbabwe. Pakistan bowlers were too good for Zimbabwean batsmen hence the start was damn slow. Both the openers bowed against the height of Irfan and Zimbabwe was 2 down on 22.
There were two 50 run partnerships for Zimbabwe then. Brendan Taylor with his knock of 50 brought Zimbabwe back in the match. Zimbabwe was 128/4 when Zimbabwe lost Taylor. Match again was on the shoulders of Ervine and Williams but Wahab Riaz was yet to show his class with the ball. He removed Ervine and more than half the battle was won by Pakistan there only. Mire and Williams got out before that. Only hope for Zimbabwe was Chigumbura but unfortunately not much deliveries were left for him. In last over 24 runs were needed for Zimbabwe to win but Wahab Riaz was too good for Chigumbura and Pakistan won the match by 20 runs. Wahab Riaz was judged man of the match for his show with both bat and ball. Finally Pakistan got its first win in this world cup. I was disappointed with Zimbabwe's performance because they showed lot of promise in the matches in which total was out of their reach but when the total was gettable they just chocked. Chocking is the main problem of African teams.
It was that day in world cup cricket on which Sri Lanka announced its revival in the world cup 2015 and Pakistan showed that they are not minnows and we should stop treating them like minnows. Hard time ahead for England and lot to work out for Zimbabwe. Day 17 again has some exciting cricket in store as South Africa will take on Ireland. Stay tuned.
#CWC15 day17
#CWC15 day17
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