Saeed Anwar

Chasing a modest 195 for victory, Saeed Anwar was all class as he helped himself to an unbeaten century and settled the contest in Pakistan's favour. The veteran was far too experienced to miss out and made full use of a good batting strip.

Opening the innings in the company of youngster Imran Nazir, Anwar guided Pakistan from strength to strength. The Sri Lankan bowling attack comprising Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa and the prodigious spinner Muthiah Muralitharan could do little to stop Anwar.

Although Saeed Anwar did not go at the bowling with his famous aggressiveness, he was never troubled in his stay at the wicket. Using the sweep to good effect against the spinners, Saeed Anwar gave a classic display on the art of pacing an innings. After he lost his opening partner to a run out, Saeed Anwar continued the good work in the company of the sensible Yousuf Youhana.

By his high standards, Saeed Anwar brought up his half century in sedate fashion, off 71 balls. Although he struck six fours on the way there, he did not take the aerial route and attempt to clear the ropes. When he finally did notch up his first six, it was a dramatic one. Moving from 99, a point where many batsmen become nervous, to 105 in one clean hit that cleared long on, Saeed Anwar enthralled his many fans at the Nairobi Gymkhana. What made his century extra special was the fact that this was his eighteenth, and with it he overtook Desmond Haynes for the maximum number of centuries scored in limited over internationals. This makes him second in the list, behind another batting legend - Sachin Tendulkar.

After accepting the man of the match award Saeed Anwar said he was glad to have scored this century, his first in about ten months. He added that he was recovering from a knee injury and that he was now back to full fitness. That bodes well for Pakistan. Other teams better watch out. An in-form, fully fit Saeed Anwar is as dangerous as anyone in international cricket.