FATULLAH // Umar Akmal whacked his first one-day international century in more than four years as he and Pakistan’s spinners spoiled Afghanistan’s first Asia Cup appearance with a clinical 72-run victory.
Akmal’s unbeaten 102 off 89 balls led Pakistan to 248 for eight, then Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi shared six wickets to bowl out Afghanistan for 176 in 47.2 overs.
Afghanistan had Pakistan on the ropes at 117 for six before Akmal took charge, notching seven fours and three sixes for his first century since an unbeaten 102 against Sri Lanka in 2009.
Opening batsman Noor Ali Zadran top-scored for Afghanistan, hitting seven fours in his 44, but the batsmen struggled to read the variations of Hafeez (3-29) and Ajmal (2-25) and lost their last four wickets for only four runs.
Asghar Stanikzai labored for 91 deliveries for his 40 before falling to Afridi as the spinners never allowed Afghanistan to score freely.
“The bowlers put in a great effort, especially the three spinners,” Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said.
Afghanistan, who have qualified for the World Twenty20 next month and the World Cup in 2015, exploited Pakistan’s shaky top order after captain Mohammad Nabi won the toss and elected to bowl first.
The opening pair of Ahmed Shehzad (50) and Sharjeel Khan (25) provided a decent start of 55 before the innings disintegrated mainly due to poor strokes.
"The shot selection from the batsmen was disappointing," Misbah said. "They did not read the pitch very well and were playing like how it behaved in the first match. They were eyeing the kind of total in the first game, but this was turning and playing low as well."
Khan, Mohammad Hafeez (10), Sohaib Maqsood (13) and Afridi (6) all fell to reckless shots while Samiullah Shenwari clean-bowled Shehzad off a flatter delivery in his first over soon after the opener completed his 50.
Misbah was run out without facing a delivery in a mix-up with Maqsood, who first called for the run but slipped after taking a few steps, and both batsmen ended up at the striker’s end.
Ali, the only change made by Pakistan from the team that lost the opening match by 12 runs against Sri Lanka, dragged the total to 146 before Shenwari could not hold onto Akmal’s skier off left-arm fast bowler Shapoor Zadran in the second batting powerplay when the batsman was on 28.
“When the ball was going in the air I was hoping it would get dropped and I would continue my innings,” Akmal said after receiving his man of the match award.
“When I was batting, the messages I was getting from the dressing room were to stay till the end.
“It’s one of my best innings and hopefully, I will get more opportunities like this.”
Akmal pounced on the dropped catch and completed his half-century off 60 balls before Ali was brilliantly caught by former captain Nowroz Mangal, who ran back from mid-off and plucked a two-handed catch.
However, Akmal upped the scoring rate at a brisk pace by raising his second 50 off a mere 28 deliveries by hitting five more boundaries and two sixes as Pakistan made 84 runs in the last 10 overs.
“Umar Akmal played very well in the end to put a big total on the board and his drop was the turning point,” Nabi said.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Spain drain
CONVICTED
Lionel Messi Found guilty in 2016 of of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying €4.1m in taxes on income earned from image rights. Sentenced to 21 months in jail and fined more than €2m. But prison sentence has since been replaced by another fine of €252,000.
Javier Mascherano Accepted one-year suspended sentence in January 2016 for tax fraud after found guilty of failing to pay €1.5m in taxes for 2011 and 2012. Unlike Messi he avoided trial by admitting to tax evasion.
Angel di Maria Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Angel di Maria was fined and given a 16-month prison sentence for tax fraud during his time at Real Madrid. But he is unlikely to go to prison as is normal in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying sentence of less than two years.
SUSPECTED
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's star striker, accused of evading €14.7m in taxes, appears in court on Monday. Portuguese star faces four charges of fraud through offshore companies.
Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager accused of evading €3.3m in tax in 2011 and 2012, during time in charge at Real Madrid. But Gestifute, which represents him, says he has already settled matter with Spanish tax authorities.
Samuel Eto'o In November 2016, Spanish prosecutors sought jail sentence of 10 years and fines totalling €18m for Cameroonian, accused of failing to pay €3.9m in taxes during time at Barcelona from 2004 to 2009.
Radamel Falcao Colombian striker Falcao suspected of failing to correctly declare €7.4m of income earned from image rights between 2012 and 2013 while at Atletico Madrid. He has since paid €8.2m to Spanish tax authorities, a sum that includes interest on the original amount.
Jorge Mendes Portuguese super-agent put under official investigation last month by Spanish court investigating alleged tax evasion by Falcao, a client of his. He defended himself, telling closed-door hearing he "never" advised players in tax matters.
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Rafael Nadal's record at the MWTC
2009 Finalist
2010 Champion
Jan 2011 Champion
Dec 2011 Semi-finalist
Dec 2012 Did not play
Dec 2013 Semi-finalist
2015 Semi-finalist
Jan 2016 Champion
Dec 2016 Champion
2017 Did not play
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