Maharoof puts Sri Lanka on top

Mumbai: Paceman Farveez Maharoof's maiden five-wicket haul paved the way for Sri Lanka's nine-wicket victory over defending champions West Indies to top the qualifying phase of the Champions Trophy yesterday.

The 22-year-old all rounder claimed a career-best six for 14 off nine overs to skittle West Indies for 80 in 30.4 overs in the final qualifying day-night match.

Opener Sanath Jayasuriya cracked a 47-ball 45 not out as Sri Lanka sped to the paltry target in 13.2 overs.

Sri Lanka join former champions New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa in one half of the main rounds, while West Indies will be bunched with world champions Australia, hosts India and England.

Man-of-the-match Maharoof dismissed Brian Lara, Dwayne Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Smith, Carlton Baugh and Wavell Hinds in the space of 38 deliveries to rip open West Indies' brittle middle-order. Opting to bat, West Indies were stunned as Chaminda Vaas struck twice early on. The left-arm paceman, who was rested in the previous match against Zimbabwe, dismissed opener Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan for ducks in the first and third overs respectively.

Aggressive paceman Lasith Malinga squared up opener Shivnarine Chanderpaul and forced him to edge behind to Kumar Sangakkara for eight as West Indies crumbled to 13 for three.

Lara in the trap

West Indies looked uncomfortable on a low-playing Brabourne Stadium pitch, despite posting convincing victories over Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in their previous qualifiers.

Maharoof began his onslaught by trapping Lara leg before for 13 with a delivery that cut back sharply.

He then had Bravo leg before without scoring and clean bowled Samuels as West Indies were sent reeling.

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