Asia Cup: Too close for comfort

Hafeez, Gul star as Pakistan beat Bangladesh in Asia Cup opener.

DHAKA:

Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Gul put in impressive all-round performances as Pakistan posted a close 21-run victory over Bangladesh in the opening match of the Asia Cup.

Opener Hafeez top-scored with a solid 89 and then grabbed two wickets, while Gul made a crucial 39 and took three scalps as Pakistan bowled Bangladesh out for 241 after posting 262 for eight in the day-night match in Dhaka.

The duo upstaged Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who sustained his team’s hopes with a 66-ball 64 before being the last man out. Hafeez was named man of the match.

The hosts were struggling at 135 for five, but Shakib and Nasir Hossain (47) gave some anxious moments to Pakistan with an 89-run stand for the sixth wicket.

Bangladeshi opener Tamim Iqbal, initially dropped from the squad by the country’s cricket chief before being added as a 15th member, scored 64 with the help of one six and six fours.

But Hafeez bowled well-set Tamim and trapped Mohammad Mahmudullah leg-before with his next delivery before Gul dismissed Nasir and Shakib to complete Pakistan’s victory.

Pakistan lose plot after good start

Pakistan were earlier well placed at 160 for one following a 135-run stand for the opening wicket between Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed (54) before they lost six wickets for just 38 runs.

Paceman Shahadat Hossain (three for 53) and left-arm spinner Shakib did the damage, but Gul added 53 vital runs for the eighth wicket with Sarfraz Ahmed (19 not out).

Pakistan made a steady start after being put in to bat as Hafeez and Jamshed batted confidently against both pace and spin, playing some handsome shots during their 27.5-over stand.

Jamshed, who played his last One-Day International (ODI) in August 2009, hit one six and five fours in his 64-ball knock before he was run out soon after completing his fifth half-century.

Shahadat started Pakistan’s slide when he dismissed Younus Khan (12), Hafeez and Asad Shafiq (four) in successive overs.

Hafeez looked set to reach his fourth ODI hundred before he was caught by Shafiul Islam at square-leg while attempting to pull Shahadat. He hit seven fours in his 126-ball knock.

Shakib removed Umar Akmal and then dismissed Shahid Afridi before Abdur Razzak sent back the Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq to peg back Pakistan.

Mushfiqur Rahim

“Our batsmen did a good job but Nasir Hossain’s wicket at the end was the most important. We just couldn’t finish well. We are not winning most of the times after getting into such situations.”

 Misbahul Haq

“It was a tough game. We should have gotten to 300 but messed it up again. The guys are not learning from their mistakes. The pitch was perfect for batting but again the bowlers did well for us.”

 Mohammad Hafeez

“I did not have a great time in the last series so I’m very happy with this performance. I worked with my batting coach and just thought of spending more time at the crease.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2012.