Pakistan opened their Asia Cup super league campaign on a disastrous note when they crashed to their lowest-to-date total of 122 against Sri Lanka at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday.
All-rounder Abdul Razzaq top-scored with 43, but Pakistan still fell below their previous lowest of 131 against Sri Lanka at Sharjah in the United Arab Emirathe day-night game as a combination of disciplined bowling and poor shot selection saw them lose wickets at regular intervals.
Left-arm fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa wrecked Pakistan’s top order, dismissing opener Imran Nazir (14) and Shoaib Malik (four) to finish with 3-29 off 10 overs.
Ace off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan then jolted Pakistan with the prize wicket of skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq (nine) in his opening over. The Pakistani captain tried to swing but missed the line, the ball rolling on to the stumps after hitting the pads.
Fast bowler Ferveez Maharoof also did not allow Pakistan to build a partnership, finishing with 2-25.
Razzaq, Yasir Hameed and Nazir were the only batsmen to reach double figures in a dismal batting performance.
Pakistan will meet India and Bangladesh in their remaining two matches of the super league. The top two teams will advance to the final on August 1. — Sapa-AFP