ISLAMABAD: Pakistan started their Super Four stage of the Asia Cup with a win against Bangladesh on Wednesday, beating the visitors by seven wickets after impressive performances from pacer Haris Rauf and opening batter Imam-ul-Haq.
Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat against Pakistan at the Qaddafi Stadium. Shah drew first blood when opener Mehidy Hassan was dismissed for 0 while Afridi removed Liton Das (16 from 31) shortly, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 31/2.
Rauf was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, taking the scalps of opener Mohammad Naim, Towhid Hridoy, the dangerous Mushfiqur Rahim, and Taskin Ahmed to finish with figures of 4/19 from six overs.
Shah ended with 3/34 from 5.4 overs while all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, who replaced Mohammad Nawaz for the match, finished with figures of 1/27 from seven overs.
Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan reacts after scoring fifty during the Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Lahore, Pakistan, on September 6, 2023. (Photo courtesy: AP)
Afridi and Iftikhar Ahmed took a wicket each to ensure Bangladesh were all out on 193 from 38.4 overs. Rahim top-scored for Bangladesh with 64 from 87 balls while veteran all-rounder Shakib made 53 from 57 balls before he was dismissed.
Pakistan batted cautiously at first before opening batter Fakhar Zaman fell to Shoriful Islam, scoring only 20 from 31 balls. Pakistan captain Babar Azam managed to score only 17 runs from 22 balls before he was clean bowled by Taskin Ahmed off a delivery that kept low.
Haq and Muhammad Rizwan put together a match-winning stand of 85 runs before the left-handed batter departed for 78 from 84 balls in an inning that spanned four sixes.
Rizwan remained unbeaten on 63 while Salman Ali Agha remained not out on 12 as Pakistan successfully chased the target in only 39.3 overs.
Pakistan next face India in a high-octane clash on September 10, Sunday, at Colombo. The previous match between the two sides on September 2 was washed away by rain after Pakistani bowlers dominated India’s top-order.
