 "Haris Rauf")
Pakistan were brilliant with both the bat and the ball as they registered a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh on Wednesday at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. This was the first match of the Super Four stage and Pakistan, by virtue of this win would automatically move to the first position in the points table.
The Pakistani pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah were once again the heroes for the team as they bundled out Bangladesh for a paltry 193 in only 38.4 overs. Rauf was the most dangerous as he finished with figures of 4/19 in his six overs. Naseem was brilliant too as he took three wickets in his 5.4 overs.
WATCH Pakistan vs Bangladesh Super 4 match highlights in Asia Cup 2023 here
How did the Pakistan chase go?
Chasing 194, Pakistan faced an early hurdle as floodlights of the Gadddafi Stadium went off for nearly 20 minutes, five overs into the Pakistan chase. Post the break the Pakistan openers started to score a bit freely. However, Fakhar Zaman failed to convert his start and was removed by Shoriful Islam for 20.
WATCH Pakistan vs Bangladesh Super 4 match highlights in Asia Cup 2023 here
How did the Pakistan chase go?
Chasing 194, Pakistan faced an early hurdle as floodlights of the Gadddafi Stadium went off for nearly 20 minutes, five overs into the Pakistan chase. Post the break the Pakistan openers started to score a bit freely. However, Fakhar Zaman failed to convert his start and was removed by Shoriful Islam for 20.
Rizwan and Imam's excellent half-centuries help Pakistan register a thumping win in the first Super 4 match #PAKvBAN | #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/ELzTjTk21v
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 6, 2023
What happened in the Bangladesh innings?
Earlier in the day, Rauf proved to be too quick for the Bangladeshi batters, who were also troubled relentlessly by Naseem as the Shakib Al Hasan-led side was bundled out for 193. Despite a 100-run stand and twin half-centuries by skipper Shakib (53 off 57 balls) and former captain Mushfiqur Rahim (64 off 87 balls), Bangladesh suffered twin batting collapse on either side of the fifth wicket partnership.
They were reduced to 47 for 4 during the first Powerplay and again lost six wickets for 47 runs between overs 30 to 39.
Rauf (4/19 in 6 overs) terrorised the batters with sheer pace while Naseem (3/34 in 5.4 overs) also added seam and swing with it.
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The trouble started in the second over as last match's centurion Mehidy Hasan Miraj (0) flicked the first delivery he faced off Naseem into the hands of mid-wicket.
The pace trio ruling the charts #PAKvBAN | #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/b1MUedU2BX
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 6, 2023
After that Rauf, coming in at one change, started hitting the bat faster than the opposition willow wielders could have envisaged.
Rauf, who hits the hard lengths, had Naim cramped for room while trying a pull-shot but all he could do was offer a simple return catch.
Towhid Hridoy (2) didn't measure up as Rauf went slightly wider off the crease and angled one it at 140 kmph plus speed. Hridoy couldn't get his bat down and was castled.
Shakib and Mushfiqur, the seasoned campaigners of many-a-battle for Bangladesh over last decade-and-half, then steadied the ship but the top-order failure left them with too much to do.
With no Mohammed Nawaz in the line-up, Pakistan had four pacers operating and the duo had to carry out the rescue act.
Once Shakib was holed out in the deep off Faheem Ashraf (1/27 in 7 overs), Bangladesh's innings fell off tracks.
The last five wickets for 19 runs.
With PTI inputs.
