Pakistan open Asia Cup with Bangladesh win

Pakistan managed to sought out a hard fought win over Bangladesh in the opening game of the 2012 Asia Cup in Bangladesh capital, Dhaka. The hosts put up a brave show in front of a strong looking Pakistan unit but lacked venom during the closing stage of
the encounter. The lack of experience was clearly on display on part of the senior cricketers such as Abdur Razzak and Mashrafe Mortaza.

Bangladesh won the toss and opted to field first in decent batting conditions probably due to the late evening dew. Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed opened the innings for Pakistan and added 135 for the first wicket before Jamshed got run-out for 54. Younis
Khan managed just 12 runs before skying a catch to Razzak.

Hafeez was the next to go for a well-played 89. He was caught by Shafiul Islam off Shahadat Hossain. Asad Shafique soon followed him for 4, leaving Pakistan stranded at 175/4 after a 135-run opening stand. Umar Akmal once again failed to impress and threw
his wicket away for 21 off 20 balls. Shahid Afridi was involved in a funny dismissal when his return catch to Shakib Al Hasan looped up straight at the helmet of non-striking batsman, Misbah-ul-Haq and back into the hands of the bowler. He made a duck.

Misbah soon followed his former captain after getting cleaned up by Razzak for 8. Wicketkeeper, Sarfraz Ahmed and fast bolwer, Umar Gul steadied the ship and took the score to 251 from being 198/7. Gul was bowled by Mortaza for a match winning 39 off 25
balls. Ajmal added 8 off 3 balls while Sarfraz remained not-out at 19 from 28. Pakistan managed 262/8 in their allotted 50 overs.

Bangladesh in reply, got off to a decent start courtesy of Tamim Iqbal and Nazimuddin. Nazim was the first to go, slashing a wide delivery from Aizaz Cheema straight to Gul at the third man boundary. He made 30. Jahurul Islam made 23 before attempting a
rash stroke off Afridi. Captain, Mushfiqur Rahim managed just 3 runs before misreading a delivery from Afridi.

Shakib and Tamim added 35 for the fourth wicket before Tamim chopped on a delivery from Hafeez. He made 64. Mahmudullah Riad was out for a first-ball duck after attempting a sweep off Hafeez to leave Bangladesh reeling at 135-5. Nasir Hossain and Shakib
were playing safe cricket and when the win was within their sights, Nasir got cleaned up by Gul for a terrific 47 off 49 balls. Both he and Shakib added 89 runs for the sixth wicket.

Bengali tail failed to provide any kind of support to Shakib and collapsed badly under pressure to lose by 21 runs. Shakib was the last man out for 64 after the left hander was left with no option apart from clearing the ropes.

Gul bagged three wickets while Ajmal, Afridi and Hafeez picked up two wickets each. Hafeez was declared the Man of the Match.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=15455

Posted by Taha Habib on Mar 12 2012. Filed under Pakistan, Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry