Asia XI thrash Africa by six wickets

Bangalore, Jun 5 (UNI) Tillakaratne Dilshan struck a quickfire 47 off just 36 balls to guide Asia XI to an easy six wickets win with 4.1 overs to spare against Africa XI in the Twenty20 match for Afro-Asia Cup played in M Chinnaswamy Stadium here tonight.

Chasing a modest target of 110, Asians toyed with the inexperienced opposition and won with ease. They were provided a good base by Bangla opener Thamim Iqbal who hit 30 runs off 22 deliveries. Though the hosts lost three wickets in quick succession thereafter, Dilshan's entry to the crease made all the difference.

Dilshan and Asian team skipper Shoaib Malik, who came at the fall of Mohammed Ashraful (one) wicket, added an unfinished 49 runs for the fifth wicket in just 36 balls to take Asians home with much to spare.

The Sri Lankan batsman began cautiously but opened up once the spinners Tawabda Mupariwa and Hiren Variya were introduced by hapless African skipper Morris Ouma.

Earlier lively spells by speedsters S Sreeshanth and Mushrafe Mortaza helped Asian XI restrict Africa XI to 109 for 8.

African opener Loots Bosman hit an attractive 52 runs in 55 balls. He was the only batsman who could show some resistance hitting some mighty blows in the end overs.

Asked to bat first by Shoaib, the Africans, reeled under the punishing spells of S Sreeshanth and the Bangladeshi paceman Mortaza who stifled the opposition as runs came only in a tickle. The first ten overs produced just 46 runs.

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 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, caught by Akmal off Sreeshanth who returned with two wickets for 26 runs. Mortaza claimed two for 17 runs.

Brief scores: Africa XI 109 for eight in 20 overs (Loots Bosman 52, Sreesanth 2/26, Mortaza 2/17) lost to Asia XI 110 for 4 in 15.5 overs (Thamim Iqbal 30, Tillakaratne Dilshan 47 not out, Nehemiah Odhiambo 2/21).

UNI