8 June 2008

Salman Butt and Mohammad Yousuf scored half-centuries as Pakistan easily beat Bangladesh by 70 runs in the opening Tri-Nations ODI series match in Mirpur.

The match was reduced to a 41-overs per side affair with Butt hitting 70 and Yousuf 59 before Abdur Razzak and Alok Kapali picked up three wickets apiece in Pakistan's 233 all out before Bangladesh were restricted to 140 for eight from 40 overs.

Only four other batsmen made double figure scores as Bangladesh put the brakes on after Kamran Akmal (25) and Butt added 75 for the first wicket in 72 balls.

Pace bowler Dolar Mahmud was handed a debut for Bangladesh, and he picked up one for 27 from four overs.

Misbah-ul-Haq provided the innings with some late fireworks, smashing 39 from 22 balls.

Bangladesh's innings provided a familiar tale of early promise from Tamim Iqbal (29) before wickets falling regularly put Pakistan on top.

Mohammad Ashraful hit a defiant 56 not out but with no support, his side's chances were obliterated as Wahab Riaz and Shahid Afridi took three wickets to seal a 70-run win on the Duckworth-Lewis method after the match was reduced to a 41 overs per side affair and Bangladesh's reply limited to just 40.

© Cricket World 2008

Tri-Nation ODI Series In Bangladesh