Record-breaking Pakistan stun Bangladesh
Defending champions chase their highest total in another high-octane Asia Cup clash.
Shehzad’s fifth ODI hundred gave Pakistan the foundation for their record chase in Mirpur. PHOTO: REUTERS
Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign never ceases to amaze as after conceding a record score against Bangladesh, the men in green chased the runs down in the final over of the match to book their place in the tournament’s final set to be played on March 8.
Pakistan got off to a bright start in their hunt for 327 runs, opener Ahmed Shehzad (103) and Mohammad Hafeez (52) added 97 runs. Three wickets fell in quick succession but a 105-run stand between Shehzad and Fawad Alam (74) revived the innings.
After Shehzad and Abdur Rehman departed, Shahid Afridi (59) delivered a breathtaking assault, fresh from his heroics against India. Boom Boom clouted seven sixes and two fours to bring Pakistan right back in a matter of 25 balls. The finishing job was done by Alam in the company of Umar Akmal (14). The match went down to the last over after Alam was run out, while Akmal’s boundary with a ball to spare gave Pakistan another nail-biting triumph.
Bangladesh batsmen pulverise Pakistan
Earlier, Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and opted to bat. The beleaguered hosts who were down and out before the match after losing to Sri Lanka and Afghanistan made five changes to their team.
Pakistan included Fawad Alam and Abdur Rehman in place of Sharjeel Khan and Junaid Khan respectively.
The hosts Bangladesh stunned the best bowling attack in the tournament with a breathtaking batting performance to record a 326-run total.
Openers Anamul Haque (100) and Imrul Kayes (59) added 150 runs for the first wicket, making full use of a dropped catch by Ahmed Shehzad in the first over of the innings.
The hosts went on to accelerate their score with shots all around the ground. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (51) and Shakibul Hasan(44) blazed their bats in the death overs to take the score past the 300-run mark.
Pakistan bowlers had a session to forget. Saeed Ajmal conceded 61 in his 10 overs, while Umar Gul went for 76 runs from his 10 and Shahid Afridi was taken for 64 off his 10. Mohammad Talha was carted for 68 runs in a mere seven overs.
Aiming high: Rusty Rehman
Pakistan’s perennial bench warmer Abdur Rehman, who was a replacement for Junaid Khan, became the first bowler in One-Day International cricket to get a suspension from bowling in the innings, after delivering three consecutive waist high full-tosses at the start of his spell.
The ignominy that he faced in the 11th over of the match confined him to the outfield for the remainder of the innings. His bowling figures read (0-0-8-0), zero overs, zero maidens, eight runs and no wickets.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2014.