Pakistan Win Asia Cup Opener Over Bangladesh

Pakistan Win Asia Cup Opener Over Bangladesh

Umar Gul (centre) celebrates taking the wicket of Shakib Al Hasan (left) to bowl Pakistan to victory in the opening game of the 2012 Asia Cup

©REUTERS / Action Images

Pakistan 262-8 (Mohammad Hafeez 89) beat
Bangladesh 241 by 21 runs
Asia Cup, Mirpur
Scorecard | Video | Pakistan Fined

Bangladesh and Pakistan produced a fine game of One-Day International cricket to open the 2012 Asia Cup with Pakistan emerging victorious by 21 runs.

Their score of 262 for eight proved to be enough when Bangladesh were bowled out for 241 in reply.

Half-centuries from openers Mohammad Hafeez (89) and Nasir Jamshed (54) set Pakistan on their way but a flurry of wickets in the middle of their innings stalled their charge.

Seemingly on well on course for 300, they faded as Shahadat Hossain took three wickets and Shakib Al Hasan two. It took an innings of 39 in 25 balls from Umar Gul to help Pakistan recover from losing six wickets for 38 runs.

Mashrafe Mortaza, making his first appearance since April 2011, and left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak took a wicket apiece.

Bangladesh made a strong start to their reply with Tamim Iqbal (64) and Nazimuddin (30) putting on 45 for the first wicket and Jahurul Islam chipping in with 23.

Pakistan's Shahid Afridi removed both Jahurul and then captain Mushfiqur Rahim for three in quick succession but Bangladesh fought on as Shakib made 64 in 66 balls.

Gul (3-58), Saeed Ajmal (2-45) and Hafeez (2-40) ensured that Shakib could call on little support and Bangladesh's only other partnership of substance, worth 91 for the sixth wicket, came between Shakib and Nasir Hossain, who scored 47 in 49 balls.

Once he was dismissed, bowled by Gul, Bangladesh fell away in all-too-familiar fashion, losing their final four wickets for 13 runs.

Shakib was the last to fall when he was also bowled by Gul.

The tournament continues when India meet Sri Lanka on Tuesday (13th March). Pakistan then play Sri Lanka on Thursday (15th March) before Bangladesh take on India one day later.

© Cricket World 2012