Asia XI top order fires, posts 337 for seven

Chennai, June 9 (UNI) Asia XI top order, except Sanath Jayasuriya, fired together to post a commanding 337 for seven in the second ODI against Africa XI in the Afro-Asia Cup here today.

Opting to bat, Asia lost Sanath Jayasuriya (11, 2x4) early.

But, Virender Sehwag, looking for a big score to impress the selectors ahead of the June 12 meeting to pick the Indian team for the England tour, and Ganguly put the innings on course before skipper Mahela Jayawrdene and Mohd Yousuf clobbered the inexperienced bowling attack for a big total.

In all, the Asians struck 31 fours and nine sixes, as more than 50 per cent of the runs came from boundaries.

Sehwag (52, 38 balls, 1x6, 8x4) started in a whirlwind fashion, hitting three fours in the first over of Albie Morkel, before he lost Jayasuriya. But, Ganguly provided him ideal company and rightly played second fiddle as Sehwag cut loose hitting the bowlers to all parts of the stadium.

The second wicket stand yielded 40 runs in 6.4 overs as Asia scored at more than six runs per over.

Sehwag's departure, soon after reaching his half century, brought Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ganguly together.

Dhoni entertained the sparse crowd with a flurry of shots hitting 33 in 38 balls (2x6, 2x4) and added 57 for the third wicket in 12 overs.

The innings gained momentum when Jayawardene wrought havoc, dominating the fourth wicket stand with Ganguly. The Wisden cricketer of the year 2007, was in sublime form as he tore apart the bowling attack. Either in pulling the bowlers or finding the gaps with exquisite drives, he played with elan.

While the initial phase of the fourth wicket stand was dominated by the Lankan skipper, Ganguly too joined the run feast, before Jayawardene ran himself out going for a non-existent single. He struck one six, one five and four fours in 40-ball 45 and in the process added 80 runs for the fourth wicket with Ganguly in 11.5 overs.

Pakistan's Mhd Yousuf (51 balls, 44 balls, 3x4, 2x6) and Ganguly (88, 112 balls, 1x6, 9x4) added a further 84 runs in 66 balls for the fifth wicket before the latter, who was well set for a deserving century, fell.

Yusuf and Yuvraj Singh (30 not out, 13 balls, 2x6, 3x4) provided the final thrust to set a daunting total for the Africans.

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