Pakistan dominates Bangladesh in Asia Cup Super Four opener

AFP

Pakistan launched their Asia Cup Super Four marketing campaign with a powerful victory in opposition to Bangladesh, as Haris Rauf’s menacing tempo and precision bowling spearheaded their triumph.

His six influential overs held Bangladesh to a modest 193 runs, setting the stage for Pakistan’s snug chase, which was expertly guided by Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan.

Rauf’s fiery spells stored Bangladesh’s batsmen on their toes all through the innings.

Opting to bat first, Bangladesh discovered themselves in early hassle when Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah struck within the first two overs. The stress continued as Rauf relentlessly maintained his skiddy lengths and impeccable accuracy, making it difficult for the Bangladeshi batters to search out their footing.

In the seventh over of Bangladesh’s innings, a worrying second unfolded for Pakistan as Shah sustained a proper shoulder damage whereas diving on the fine-leg boundary. However, he later returned to the sphere and continued to contribute to Pakistan’s dominant efficiency.

Rauf’s intimidating tempo claimed its first sufferer within the eighth over when he dismissed Mohammad Naim with a top-edge catch, setting the tone for Bangladesh’s early collapse. Towhid Hridoy fell sufferer to a dream supply from Rauf within the tenth over, because the ball straightened and crashed into the stumps, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 47 for 4 within the powerplay.

Despite the dire scenario, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim displayed resilience with a century partnership, defying Rauf’s relentless assault. Shakib rode his luck on 32 when he gloved a pull simply over the wicketkeeper, and two deliveries later, he survived a drop catch by Shah.

Shakib finally reached his fifty, however his innings was reduce quick when he pulled a brief ball from Faheem Ashraf to deep square-leg. Mushfiqur Rahim continued to battle and reached his half-century earlier than Bangladesh’s decrease order crumbled below Shah’s bowling, culminating of their dismissal for 193.

Rauf’s brilliance was additional exemplified by taking two wickets off successive deliveries within the thirty eighth over, dismantling Mushfiqur and Taskin Ahmed. Shah wrapped up Bangladesh’s innings by claiming the wickets of Afif Hossain and Shoriful Islam.

In pursuit of their goal, Pakistan confronted early challenges from Bangladesh’s bowlers, with the opening 5 overs yielding solely 12 runs. A short interruption as a result of a floodlight failure halted play for about 20 minutes, and upon resumption, Pakistan’s batsmen appeared rejuvenated.

Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman showcased their intent, with Fakhar pulling Shoriful for 4 and Imam placing three boundaries off Taskin within the seventh over. However, Shoriful’s disciplined bowling finally dismissed Fakhar for 20 within the remaining over of the powerplay.

Imam-ul-Haq confronted a stern take a look at from Hasan Mahmud, surviving a detailed lbw name on 16 within the eleventh over. Shakib Al Hasan’s assessment revealed that the ball was pitching exterior leg, sparing Imam. He capitalised on this reprieve, reaching his fifty with a six over midwicket off Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Imam’s innings of 78, that includes 5 fours and 4 sixes, was dropped at an finish by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, whereas Mohammad Rizwan remained unbeaten on 63 off 79 balls, steering Pakistan to a convincing victory inside 40 overs.