Pakistan Cruise Past Bangladesh

A discliplined Pakistani bowling and fielding performance allowed them to cruise past Bangladesh who didn't even seem threatning in a rather unimportant Asia Cup match.

Bangladesh won the toss initially and decided to bat first against a strong looking Pakistan bowling attack. Shabbir Ahmed and Mohammad Sami did most of the damage earlier on as they both combined and terrorised Bangaldesh's top order.

Ashraful (0) was first to go in just the fifth ball of the innings as Sami struck him in front and Ashraful was adjudged lbw. Shabbir had Habibul Bashar (10) out cheaply as Bangladesh were starting shakily on 2/30.

The Rawalpindi Express, Shoaib Akhtar struck next as Alok Kapali was out for 3. Shabbir Ahmed claimed Faisal Hossain (0)and Manjural Islam Rana (0) in the space of an over as Bangaldesh were tottering at 5/42.

A comeback of sorts came in the form of Rajin Saleh as Saleh and Khaled Mashud tried to rebuild. But disaster struck for Bangladesh as Saleh was dismissed by Abdul Razzaq for 23.

Khaled Mashud was the shining light in the Bangladeshi batting lineup as he alongside Mushfiqur Rahman (21) got the score past 100. But Rahman was dismissed by Shoaib Akhtar for 21 as Bangladesh slipped further into oblivion.

An over later, Abdur Razzaq was dismissed for 2 as he was cleaned up by off spinner Shoaib Malik. Khaled Mashud however reached a well deserved half century and soon after was cleaned up by Mohammad Sami as Bangladesh posted a relatively poor total of just 166.

The target of 166 seemed like an easily reachable target, but thanks to some determined bowling, Bangladesh made Pakistan work somewhat for their runs. Yasir Hameed (11) was the first man to go, out to the bowling of Tapash Baisya.

With the score at 52, Imran Nazir fell next for a well made 27 off the bowling of Tareq Aziz and Pakistan were in minor trouble as both openers were gone. However the trouble quickly dissipated as blazing Shoaib Malik blasted his way to a quickfire 48 and alongside Yousuf Youhana guided Pakistan to 118.

But a few final hiccups on Pakistan's part remained as Malik was dismissed for 48 to the Bangladesh spinner, Abdur Razzaq. Youhana (39) fell shortly after, but Younis Khan (16*) and Abdul Razzaq (16*) guided Pakistan to a easy and comfortable victory.

Brief Score Summary:

Bangladesh: 166 All Out (Mashud 54, Rajin Saleh 23, Shabbir 3/32, Abdul Razzaq 2/41, Sami 2/38, Shoaib Akhtar 2/33)

Pakistan: 3/167 (Shoaib Malik 48, Yousuf Youhana 39, Tareq Aziz 1/32, Abdur Razzaq 1/29)

Pakistan Won By 6 Wickets

Cricket Web Player of the Match: Shoaib Malik (PAK)

Posted by Sangrah