Asia XI got their act together and lived upto their top billing to score a 17-run victory against Africa XI in the second one-day international of the inaugural Afro-Asia Cupat Durban today.
Sri Lanka's wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara struck a stylish half-century as Asia's batting stars rediscovered their form to post a challenging total of 267 for seven.
The visitors then came up with a tidy bowling performance to bowl out the Africans for 250 at the Kingsmead.
The overall Asian domination meant the three-match series was tied 1-1, setting up a thrilling finale at the same venue tomorrow.
Sangakkara hit a classy 61 while his compatriot Mahela Jayawardene too came good with a composed 52 while Yousuf Youhana contributed a vital 42.
Virender Sehwag made a calm 38 at the top while skipper Inzamam-ul Haq held the rudder with an unbeaten 32.
The hosts had no answer to the Asian batsmen in conditions perfectly suited for their style of play.
The absence of Jacques Kallis, due to a lower back muscle strain, was a blow to the Africans who experimented by promoting Mark Boucher as opener. But the move failed to work with the wicketkeeper walking back to the pavilion after striking four boundaries.
AB de Villiers scraped around for 39 which contained two lives on 16 and 19.
A combination of fine fast bowling by Shoaib Akhtar (2-50), Zaheer Khan (3-43) and Ashish Nehra (1-33), and poor shot selection saw Africa reduced to 72 for four in the 18th over.
Although Justin Kemp (38) and Steve Tikolo (43) played some daring shots, it was not enough to make up for the top order collapse.
Poor running between wickets too undid African hopes before Muttiah Muralitharan came on to complete the clean-up act.
The Asians, the stronger of the two teams, had come unstuck in the colder climes of Centurion.
But the Kingsmead pitch, readied in less than two weeks, was ideal for them, offering reliable bounce at slow pace.
Sangakkara, in particular, made full use of it and more than made up for the early dismissal of Shahid Afridi and anunusually subdued innings by Sehwag.
The wicketkeeper's partnership with Sehwag for the second wicket was worth 91 runs and came from 101 balls.
Jayawardene played the sheet anchor role while Youhana was more adventurous.
Skipper Inzamam, who twisted his ankle while batting and did not take the field, gave the innings the required momentum towards the close.
Kenyan all-rounder Odoyo impressed with his line and length to collect three for 45 while South African Monde Zondeki suffered the most, returning with figures of 2-64 from nineovers.
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Brief scores: Asia XI: 267-7 in 50 overs (Kumar Sangakkara 61, Mahela Jayawardene 52, Yousuf Youhana 42; Thomas Odoyo 3-45, Heath Streak 2-62) beat Africa XI: 250 in 49.2 overs (Steve Tikolo 43, AB de Villiers 39, Justin Kemp 39; Zaheer Khan 3-43, Shoaib Akhtar2-50) by 17 runs.
PTI
