Pakistan Brush Aside Bangladesh Challenge

Pakistan Brush Aside Bangladesh Challenge

Pakistan players exit the field following their comprehensive 50-run win over Bangladesh in the Twenty20 International in Mirpur

©REUTERS / Action Images

Pakistan 135-7 (Mohammad Hafeez 25) beat
Bangladesh 85-9 (Shoaib Malik 2-7) by 50 runs
Twenty20 International, Mirpur
Scorecard

Pakistan continued their excellent run of recent form with a commanding 50-run win over Bangladesh in the one-off Twenty20 International in Mirpur.

In a low-scoring encounter on a pitch receptive to spin throughout, Pakistan posted 135 for seven but Bangladesh's hopes of overhauling that total were dashed and they limped to 85 for nine in reply.

Pakistan's top five batsmen all reached double figures without being able to kick on and score more than Mohammad Hafeez's 25 as Bangladesh's bowlers, led by Shakib Al Hasan (2-24) and Alok Kapali (2-12) pegged them back.

Shahid Afridi hit one six before he was dismissed for eight while captain Misbah-ul-Haq was unbeaten on 21 in 20 balls.

After Umar Gul trapped Naeem Islam in front for three, Mohammad Hafeez took the lead role in the next three dismissals which left Bangladesh reeling on 17 for four and to all intents and purposes, out of the game.

He had Kapali caught by Misbah without scoring, ran Imrul Kayes out for two and then bowled Shakib for seven.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim (1) and Nasir Hossain (35 not out) were the only players for the home team that reached double figures.

Hafeez, wh opened the bowling alongside Gul, returned two for 11 while fello off-spinner Shoaib Malik grabbed two for seven to end the match with the wickets of Abdur Razzak (9) and Shafiul Islam (0).

Afridi and Aizaz Cheema also took a wicket.

The first of three One-Day Internationals between the two sides gets underway on 1st December.

© Cricket World 2011