Afridi Reveals Interest in Rose Bowl Return

Pakistan captain makes statement of intent after his team lose by 121 runs to England in the fifth NatWest Series One Day International at The Rose Bowl

England -v- Pakistan
NatWest Series One Day International
Wednesday 22nd September 2010
The Rose Bowl

Summary:
England beat Pakistan by 121 runs
England: 256-6 (Morgan 107*, Collingwood 47; Akhtar 3-40)
Pakistan: 135 ao (37 ov) (K. Akmal 41; Swann 3-26, Broad 2-24)

Shahid Afridi left the door open for a return to Hampshire next season, when he revealed that he still aims to play for the club. Speaking following his Pakistan teams’ final match loss to England at The Rose Bowl on Wednesday night, he told journalists; “[The Rose Bowl] has a beautiful atmosphere and is in beautiful condition.”

Reflecting on his missed opportunity to play for the Royals this season, he added; “I would definitely love to come here and play some county cricket as well.”

The comments capped a wonderful night for the South’s English cricket fans, who had earlier seen Eoin Morgan’s love affair with The Rose Bowl continue as the Irishman plundered his second hundred in as many ODIs at Hampshire’s home to lead England to a thumping 121-run win over Pakistan and a 3-2 series win.

Morgan’s unbeaten 107 from 101 balls guided England from a precarious 47-3 to competitive 256-6 from their 50 overs.

Graeme Swann then spun the outstanding figures of 3-26 as the visitors capitulated from 83-3 to a disappointing 135 all out.

Click here to see a full scorecard

Andrew Strauss and Steve Davies survived an early onslaught from the rapid Shoaib Akhtar to guide the hosts to 29 without loss after five overs. Afridi responded by bringing on Mohammad Hafeez and the change was vindicated when the off-spinner had Davies stumped by Kamran Akmal for 17.

Shoaib continued to trouble the England captain, regularly beating him outside off-stump, but when Razzaq returned, Strauss clouted him over mid-wicket for the first maximum.

Jonathan Trott – who was roundly jeered by the Pakistani supporters – quickly perished to a Shoaib snorter and Strauss soon followed to leave England in the mire on 47-3.

The runs then proceeded to dry up in the face of some vibrant bowling and after 15 overs the hosts found themselves 59 for 3. The situation worsened at drinks when Paul Collingwood had to retire hurt with a migraine. 

Ian Bell – batting with a runner – and Morgan attempted to rebuild by picking up the available singles. They succeeded in raising the 100 but when Afridi snared Bell for 28, they were back in trouble at 106 for 4.

Afridi originally signed for Hampshire this season but then pulled out to captain Pakistan

Collingwood resumed his knock and a period of 41 balls without a boundary ensued until Morgan slapped Hafeez through the covers. This was the only four of the 50 partnership which came off only 54 balls.

Morgan’s freakish ability to pace an innings was in evidence again as he marshalled his side through to a competitive total. He brought up a sublime 100 off 97 balls with a six and a four in consecutive deliveries as England took 19 runs from the final over.

England’s total looked to be inadequate when Hafeez and Kamran Akmal launched a blistering assault on the host’s bowlers with a flurry of boundaries.

After 10 overs Pakistan had raced to 57 without loss and Strauss was desperately looking for inspiration. It duly arrived – as it so often does – in the form of Stuart Broad as the beanpole paceman snared two wickets in two balls to resuscitate the hosts. Luke Wright then trapped Akmal lbw for 41 and when Swann bowled Fawad Alam in his first over, the game had turned with the visitors precariously placed on 83 for 4.

The England team after winning the NatWest Series 3-2

Wright and Swann strangled the scoring and at the halfway stage, Pakistan were behind the eight-ball on 98 for 4 – still needing another 158 for victory.

Swann then unfurled two classic off-breaks to bowl Mohammad Yousuf for 20 and Afridi for a duck as England turned the screw.

The hosts never relented and two run-outs sealed the series, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Words: Neil Evans - Images: LMI Photography

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