ISLAMABAD: After a terrific blowing by Pakistani pacers to restrict Bangladesh to a low total of 204, Pakistani batters Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafiq’s fine innings led the side to an easy 7-wicket win against Bangladesh in the ICC contest being played at Eden Garden Kolkata, India on Tuesday. Fakhar Zaman’s 81 runs innings proved his cretic wrong, and it was due to his contribution that Pakistan smashed a number of sixes in powerplay for the first time in the World Cup.
Chasing a target of 205 to win, Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafiq took a steady start in the first four overs. However, from the 5th over, they accelerated the innings with over five runs per over. Later, both the batters completed their half-centuries. They contributed 128 runs partnership for the team and took the game away from Bangladesh.
In the 22nd over, Pakistan lost their first wicket when Abdullah Shafiq was dismissed on 68. His inning included two sixes and nine boundaries. Bangladesh got the second wicket in a couple of overs when Babar Azam was gone for 9. On the other hand, Fakhar took his side near the target.
In the 28th over, during an attempt to wind up the game quickly and have a better run rate, Fakhar Zaman was caught on a long-on boundary on 81. His brilliant innings included seven long sixes and three boundaries. At the stage, Pakistan were 169 for 3 in 27.3 overs and required just 36 runs in 22.3 overs. After Fakhar and Babar, number 4 batters Rizwan and Iftikhar took charge to reach the target in no time. Both the batters remained unbeaten with 26 and 17, respectively. They achieved the target in 32.3 overs, and Pakistan won the match by 7 wickets with overs 17.3 to spare.
From Bangladesh, Mehidy Hasan Miran was the only successful and wicket-taking bowler. He got all of the three wickets. By winning the match, Pakistan not only got two points but secured a better run rate, which might help them later in the ICC World Cup.
Bangladesh Batting Against Pakistan
Earlier, after winning the toss, Bangladesh decided to bat first. Shaheen Shah Afridi was looking in good form and struck in the first over to dismiss Tanzid on zero. In his second over, Shaheen struck again and got rid of Najmul Hasan Shanto on 4. Bangladesh lost their 3rd wicket on 23 in the six over when Harif Rauf removed Mushfiqur-Rahim.
After losing three quick wickets, Litton Dar and in-form Mahmudullah stayed on the crease and contributed 79 runs, a crucial partnership for the team. However, in the 21st over, Iftikhar managed to dismiss Litton Das on 45. Litton was replaced by the skipper Shakib-Al-Hasan, who also contributed some crucial runs.
In the 31st over, when Shaheen came back to bowling, he bowled Mahmudullah on a terrific good length delivery on 56. In the next over, Usama Mir removed the new batter, Towhid Hridoy, for just 7 runs. The next was Shakib, who after scoring a good knock of 43 was dismissed by Harif Rauf.
Bangladesh batters were pushing their scoreboard properly. However, Pakistani bowlers also managed to take wickets with interval. In the 44th over, Waseem got two wickets. First, he dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miraz on 25 and Taskin Ahmad. In the 46th over, Waseem took his third wicket to bowl out Mustafizur Rehman on 3. Bangladesh were all out on 204 in 45.1 overs.
From Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi was the most successful bowler who took pressure on Bangladesh while taking early quick wickets. He got three wickets while conceding 23 runs in his 9-over spill. Muhamad Waseem also got three wickets, while Haris Rauf took two wickets. Usama Mir and Iftikhar got one wicket each.
Pakistan Team
Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan †, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim and Haris Rauf
Bangladesh Team
Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das †, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam
