Pakistan cruise to victory in Super Four opener against Bangladesh

Pakistan signed off the home of Asia Cup 2023 with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in Lahore yesterday.

Pakistan opened their account in the Super Four stage of the 2023 Asia Cup as they cruised in their chase against Bangladesh. The fast bowlers set the tone by dismantling Bangladesh’s batting lineup, paving the way for the batters to secure a comfortable victory

The Asia Cup breaks for two days with the remaining games of the tournament set to be played in Sri Lanka, including the final on 17 September.

Chasing 194 to win, Pakistan got off to a steady start with a 35-run opening partnership inside the Powerplay. Fakhar Zaman (20) and Babar Azam (17) fell within a span of six overs, giving Bangladesh a little sniff but Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan ensured there were no scares for Pakistan.

During his rather short stay at the crease, Babar Azam surpassed 2000 runs as captain in ODIs, becoming the fourth player to do so after Imran Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Imam top-scored with 78 off 84 before Mehidy Hasan Miraz scalped his wicket. Rizwan, who remained unbeaten on 63, finished the chase off with Agha Salman at the other end.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan elected to bat first after winning the toss. They continued with Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mohammed Naim at the top. The duo had found success against Afghanistan. 

However, Pakistan’s pace attack was too good for the Bangladesh top-order. Mehidy was snared for a first-ball duck by Naseem Shah. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf joined in on the fun, as Naim, Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy were dismissed within the first 10 overs.

Rauf reached 50 wickets in the ODI format after dismissing Naim in his very first over. 

Senior batters Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim led the reconstruction job for their side. They added 100 for their fifth-wicket stand. However, the duo weren’t able to press the advantage as Shakib fell for 53 to Faheem Ashraf. 

This was the second-highest fifth-wicket stand for Bangladesh against Pakistan. The best stand of 106 came between Nasir Hossain and Shakib in 2011. 

The Bangladesh innings was unable to survive regular onslaughts from the Pakistan pacers and the side was bowled out within 40 overs. 

Rauf was the pick of the bowlers with his 4/19. 

Sri Lanka meet Bangladesh in Colombo in the next Super Four game on Saturday.

Chief Scores: Scores from the Super Four Asia Cup match between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Lahore on Wednesday: Bangladesh 193 in 38.4 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 64, Shakib Al Hasan 53; Haris 4-19, Naseem Shah 3-34) Pakistan 194-3 in 39.3 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 78, Mohammad Rizwan 63 not out)