Shafiq's brilliance steers Pakistan to the Quarter Finals.

Today at Pallekele arena the sky had covered with dark stratified clouds and the forecast had already given signs of some dramatic show would repeat that 2003 episode where the same teams marched head to head in a decisive encounter that eventually went rain-hit and it closed the journey for Pakistan in that world cup. But the fait had to change itself this time around and it proved to be the 1st game of WC2011 to use Duck-Worth Lewis rule to complete the show. Credit must go to the organizers who had masterfully made all the arrangements available in a timely fashion and they covered whole of the outfield with plastic sheets to make continuation of the game possible in whatever the situation would occur. before the rain had hit the ground it was Zimbabwean captain who won the toss and elected to send his batsmen in. Gul and Razzaq found them bowling in the rain-hit English summers during the 1st spell. Both used the swing skilfully and attacked the batsmen to earn 1 ealry wicket each off the edgy offerings from the Zimbabweans. This time there was no dilemma to see behind the wickets and good sharp catches were held beautifully by Akmal and Misbah. The Zimb's devastation was never going to stop and they lost first 5 wickets before reaching 90. The Orangemen further looked into tatters when the rain had come to halt the play second time as they had already lost 7 wickets for 151 in 39.4 overs. This time the rain had done some damage in consuming alot of time and the match refferee had to intervene and the innings was announced completed. Pakistan were then asked to chase down 162 in 38 overs on the revision made by D/L method.

Ahmed Shahzad once again failed to make his mark and fell in desperation trying to hit Utseya all along the ground and let wicket keeper do the job quite easily who removed the bails when he was on 8. Hafeez started very confidently and blasted quick fired 5 bounderies early on to help himself build the confidence he was searching so far in this mega event. He played well before finally guiding the ball to the slip for 49. Afridi pomoted himself up the order to negate his batting woes but failed to regain the esteem and was dismissed off the 4th ball he faced for 3. This was the only moment of jubilation for the Zimbabweans to cherish and it went quite unnoticed as the next to come into the center was Younis Khan and the remainder of the match was nothing for the green shirts to worry about as no further wicket fell and a partnership of 54 between the long standing Shafiq and Younis khan proved decisive. Shafiq satrted his steppings in an articulate manner as he had scored only 5 off his 25 balls initially but later on he started to muscle up and maneouvered the innings fluently and reached his fifty in his 1st game of the tournament. Despite reaching his half century he never looked overjoyed and continued to pace up the innings in rather picturesque manner. It was his brillance that sailed his team to the victory in a match in which Pakistan looked dominant and in complete control to register their berth into the quater finals.