DHAKA: Shahid Afridi grabbed five for 23 and kept his cool in a batting crisis as Pakistan overcame Bangladesh by five wickets in the first One-Day International (ODI) in Dhaka.
The leg-spinner ripped through the Bangladesh line-up as the hosts were bundled out for 91 after electing to bat – with seven batsmen failing to reach double figures. In reply, Pakistan lost five wickets chasing the modest target, which was eventually overhauled in the 26th over to give the tourists the lead in the three-match series.
Seamer Rubel Hossain and spinner Shakibal Hasan claimed a brace apiece to leave Pakistan struggling at 63 for five, before Afridi took his team home with an unbeaten 24 off 23 balls. As the runs dried up on the turning wicket, Afridi broke free with three successive fours off Shakib and then cut the same bowler for another boundary to win the game.
It was Pakistan’s 26th win in 27 ODIs against Bangladesh, the lone defeat having come during the 1999 World Cup in England.
The all-rounder continues golden run
Afridi, who has now picked up 45 wickets in 25 ODIs this year, and was the obvious man of the match, said he wanted to do well every time he took the field.
“I want to be consistent, that’s the most important thing,” said the 31-year-old. “This time I tried to bring a lot more variations in my bowling and that worked. When I went out to bat, the coach told me to play my normal attacking game.”
Misbah admitted he was worried when five wickets went down.
“It really looked tough at one stage, but Afridi won us the game,” said the relieved Pakistan captain. “The spinners got a lot of help, the ball turned and bounced. But I am disappointed with the way some of our batsmen batted. They got starts, but did not carry on. It’s a problem we have to work on.”
Bangladesh, who lost half the side for 31 runs, were dismissed in 30.3 overs, just managing to surpass their lowest total against Pakistan of 87. Bangladesh’s batting never recovered after losing opener Tamim Iqbal with the fourth ball of the innings, dismissed by Mohammad Hafeez. Nasir Hossain (21) and Shakib put on 36 for the sixth wicket to ensure Bangladesh did not fall below their lowest total of 58. Captain Mushfiqur Rahim was a disappointed man.
“It looked like a good track, but we lost early wickets,” he said. “We need to work on our top-order batting.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2011.
COMMENTS (28)
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@Ch Allah Daad: I think you forgot his performance in sereies against Sirilanka in which he was Man of the Series.
A future politician in the making.
WELDONE TEAM GREEN
well done.. Pakistan Zindabad!
Finally after three hundred matches, Afridi became a player of some substance against poor BD.
With the ominous shadow of former PCB chief cast away, the pakistan cricket team is now on the winning streak. Well done winning boy Shahid Afridi, keep it up. Will the new PCB chief please waive afridi's fine of Rs 45 lakh which his predecessor unjustly imposed on the talented cricketer. Afridi deserves this injustice to be undone.
Admittedly a win is a win and there is every reason to celebrate victory but come on guys getting Bangladesh out for 91 and then losing 5 wickets to get their score is pretty pathetic. Had it been England, South Africa, India or Australia, they pobably would have got twice as many runs and twice as many wickets. Where does that leave Team Green?
We need to out US/NATO like that with aggression.
shahid afridi is the best allrounder that pakistan has ever had and he proved this statement in todays match
Well done Afridi. Remember's weqar's advise...your performance should talk instead of your tongue.I wish you well.
@ Hussam, Pakistan cannot become no.1 by beating BD, nor we can judge the real capability of our players. Anyway I wish them good luck for future matches.
jood job by pakistani players, we the nation of pakistan is in truble these days and such victories can give us relaxation and can bring smiles on our faces which we need.
proud of pakistani players.
The PAK bowling attack is just too strong & the subcontinental pitches is also spin friendly which becomes more dangerous when a team has spinners like Ajmal & Afridi. But BD batting is as always being poor we did bowl well to grab 5 wickets.
@Ch Allah Daad: why dont you accept tha pakistan performance has improved instead?
If this team continues to play like this, it is possible that it will win the next World Cup!!! Indian players should take note of Pakistan's capabilities!!! Good luck Pakistan!
@Ch Allah Daad....ur wrong....cricketing standards of Pakistan has gone up...but they still need to work on their batting....and I am sure InshaAllah they will do it! Afridi is a sher! Want to see Pakistan at no 1 spot! :) peace
One more victory for Pakistan.But we have to agree the fact that our batting was so poor today. Umer Akmal just gifted his wicket to the spinner!!
Afridi is the best player in the world.. there is no doubts, he has now proved himself.. C`mon Lala...
tuk tuk...boom boom...tuk tuk...boom boom
Afridi Zindabad Pakistan Zindabad
Ver poor performance by BD. The cricket standards in SL and BD have gone down.
Keep it up Lala and Pakistan
Pakistan Zindabaad