Cricket: Pakistan overcome controversy for win

JAIPUR - Skipper Younis Khan hailed Pakistan's team spirit after they overcame a pre-match crisis to clinch a thrilling Champions Trophy cricket victory over Sri Lanka yesterday.

"We were under pressure," he said.

"But we are still strong and hopefully we will remain strong."

All-rounder Abdul Razzaq snared four wickets for 50 and then lashed 38 not out off 24 balls to power his team to the victory target of 254 with 11 balls to spare in the Group B clash.

The victory came a day after Pakistan strike bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were sent home after testing positive for nandrolone.

"We believe in God," a delighted Younis said. "We missed Inzamam-ul Haq as captain and batsman, we had another shock a day before, and then Sri Lanka were playing very well.

"Shoaib and Asif were our leading bowlers and they were in form," he said.

"We could have lost, but we wanted to keep our pride intact."

Pakistan had been embroiled in a series of controversies in the build-up to the tournament.

Inzamam was banned for four one-dayers to be ruled out of the tournament after he was charged by International Cricket Council with bringing the game into disrepute over his team forfeiting the final Oval test in August while protesting against a penalty for alleged ball-tampering.

Younis, appointed to lead the team, quit in a huff before being reinstated hours before the team landed in India.

He praised Indian fans for cheering Pakistan as they raced to victory and said a final between the two teams would be perfect.

Younis was all praise for Razzaq, the man-of-the-match.

"I knew seniors in the side like me, Mohammad Yousuf and Razzaq, who know the conditions here, needed to take charge and we did that in the end. Razzaq is very good with the old ball and he showed that again today," he added.

Razzaq said he felt no extra pressure, saying he was used to batting in the final overs when he had to go after the bowling.

Rival skipper Mahela Jayawardene completed 6000 one-day runs but saw his team's run of 10 consecutive wins halted by Pakistan, the last team to beat them in Sri Lanka in April.

"It was the boundaries which won the game," he said, referring to 102 runs coming in that fashion. "It is a tough group, but we still have a chance."

Sri Lanka next play New Zealand in Mumbai tomorrow while Pakistan await the Black Caps in Mohali on Wednesday.

- REUTERS