Muhammad Irfan ensured Pakistan finished the innings well and his burst guided him to a five-wicket haul while Yasir finished with two scalps. PHOTO: FILE EXPRESS
Chasing a target of 247, Pakistan were rocked up front as both openers – Sarfraz Ahmed on one and Ahmed Shahzad on five – were back in the hut with just eight runs on the board.
Younus Khan and Haris Sohail then steadied the ship and survived the new ball, safely adding 44 runs for the third-wicket stand. However, Younus was dismissed after scoring a 41-ball 25, which included two boundaries.
Haris was joined by eventual hero Maqsood with Pakistan on 52-3 and the duo added another decent 51-run stand to get Pakistan back in it. Haris then fell to Mahmudullah after contributing 39 runs off 55 balls to Pakistan’s cause.
Two natural stroke-makers, Sohaib and Umar Akmal, were then out in the middle but played sensibly to build upon the good work with a 63-run stand, scoring a boundary only when the opportunity presented itself.
But the threatening partnership was broken by Mashrafe Murtaza when he dismissed Umar, who played a valuable 39-run innings.
Misbahul Haq was quickly back in the pavilion after adding just 10 but powerhouse Maqsood kept on scoring runs from one end. Shahid Afrid then played a 24-run cameo to ease the pressure as the pair put up a 41-run stand off just 29 balls and Pakistan were able to score 247-7 with 11 balls to spare.
Maqsood, who has been awarded only limited opportunities so far, made his case stronger for the World Cup. He befittingly remained not out till the end as he made an impressive 93 off 90 balls, while Wahab Riaz was unbeaten on two at the end.
Earlier, Bangladesh were dismissed for 246 in 49.5 after opting to bat first.
Pakistan got off to a good start when Sohail Khan dismissed the dangerous Anamul Haque on naught, while it was followed by Muhammad Irfan dismissing Mominul Haque on seven to leave Bangladesh on 16-2.
However, Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah stood strong against the new ball and did not give away their wickets cheaply.
Pakistan received a blow as Sohail, who was bowling really well, had to leave the field as he complained of pain in his leg and Bangladesh capitalised on the loss to start scoring freely.
The two put on a 168-run stand to give momentum to the Bangladesh innings but were responsible for their own downfall.
A mix-up led to Mahmudullah’s runout and he departed after making 83, with five boundaries. Eight balls later, leggie Yasir Shah bowled Tamim, who made 81 — also with five fours.
Muhammad Irfan then ensured Pakistan finished the innings well and his burst guided him to a five-wicket haul while Yasir finished with two scalps.
Pakistan’s media manager Agha Akbar confirmed that Sohail’s injury is not serious and he will get fit ahead of the World Cup opener against India.
“Sohail felt some pain in his calf muscle and he was brought off just as a precautionary measure,” said Akbar. “He did not bowl his full quota so that he can recover quickly. Hopefully, he’ll be ready come February 15 when Pakistan take on India in the World Cup opener.”
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