Africa bundled out for 109 in 20 overs

Bangalore, Jun 5 (UNI) Lively spells by speedsters S Sreeshanth and Mushrafe Mortaza helped Asian XI restrict Africa XI to 109 for 8 in the Twenty20 match for Afro-Asia Cup played in M Chinnaswamy Stadium here today.

African opener Loots Bosman, who hit an attractive 52 runs in 55 balls, was the only batsman who showed not just the resistance but took the fight to the rival camp in the end overs with some lusty hits. However, lack of support from the other batsmen stopped help the South African batsmen from playing the way he liked.

Asked to bat first by the Asian captain Shaoib Malik, the Africans, having hardly any well known name barring Loots Bosman, reeled under the punishing spells of S Sreeshanth and the Bangladeshi Mortaza who stifled the opposition as runs came only in a tickle. The first ten overs produced just 46 runs.

Sreeshanth began with a lively spell claiming the wicket of Goolam Bodi (12), which put the visitors on the back foot. Wickets fell negularly thereafter while runs were hard to come by as Mortaza on the other end proved an able ally to the Indian speedster. The two used the bounce on the newly laid wicket to a nicety and Africa could never get into the sight of a big total.

Wickets fell at quick intervals after the departure of Moris, who was well caught by Kamran Akmal who took three catches behind the stumps. Shoaib, happy after restricting the Africans in the first ten overs, made fequent changes in the bowling. Sri Lankan paceman Maroof also bowled a good line and Bangladesh left arm spinner Abdul Razaak had a rather easy opposition to contend with after speedsters had ensured the early damage.

However, Bosman, who hit three boundaries and three towering sixes, continued unhindered despite the wickets falling on the other end. He virtually exploded in the last four overs hitting Shahid Afridi for two sixes and a four in the 18th over which costed the Pakistani 20 runs.

Late flourish helped the Africans cross the three-figure mark and Bosman ultimately fell in the penultimate over, being the third victim of Akmal off the bowling of Sreeshanth who returned with two wickets for 26 runs. Mortaza claimed two for 17 runs while Maroof, Razzak and Afridi took one wicket apiece.

Brief Score: Africa XI 109 for 8 in 20 overs (Loots Bosman 52, S Sreesanth 2/26, Mortaza 2/17).

UNI