Haris Rauf claimed four-fer against Bangladesh (AP Image)
Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan hit half-centuries as Pakistan chased down the 194-run target in 39.3 overs.
Pakistan started the Super 4 stage of Asia Cup 2023 on a positive note with a comprehensive 7-wicket win over Bangladesh at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The hosts produced a clinical performance with both bat and ball as Bangladesh just failed to put up a fight against the number 1 ranked ODI team. The Bangladesh batters’ had a dismal show against the Pakistan pace unit as they were bundled out for just 193. In reply, Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan hit half-centuries as Pakistan chased down the target in 39.3 overs. It also boosted Pakistan NRR which might be taken into consideration during the fag end of the Super 4 stage for the qualification in the final.
Pakistan lost opener Fakhar Zaman (20) early in the moderate chase but it didn’t affect his opening partner Imam much. There was no required run rate pressure which allowed Imam to take his time before attacking the Bangladesh bowlers. Pakistan skipper Babar Azam had a rare off outing with the bat as he was castled by Taskin Ahmed for 17.
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Imam and Rizwan shared a crucial 85-run stand for the third wicket to put the chase back on track as Pakistan didn’t find much difficulty chasing it.
Imam missed out on converting his half-century into a triple-digit score and was castled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 78. He scored 5 fours and 4 sixes to entertain the home fans inside the stadium.
While Rizwan remained unbeaten on 63 off 79 balls, his knock was laced with 7 fours and a six.
Salman Agha scored the winning runs for Pakistan as he scored 12 runs*.
Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first but the decision worked against them.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh Highlights Asia Cup 2023
Despite a 100-run stand and twin half-centuries by skipper Shakib Al Hasan (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 kept losing wickets at regular intervals as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf struck in the powerplay as Bangladesh were four down for 47 in 9.1 overs.
Shakib and Rahim managed to stabilise the innings a bit with their partnership but Bangladesh suffered another collapse after their skipper’s departure.
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. Once Shakib was holed out in the deep off Faheem Ashraf (1/27 in 7 overs), Bangladesh’s innings fell off tracks. They lost the last five wickets for just 19 runs.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 193 all out in 38.4 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 64, Shakib Al Hasan 53; Haris Rauf 4/19, Naseem Shah 3/34).
Pakistan: 194 for 3 in 39.3 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 78, Mohammad Rizwan 63 not out; Taskin Ahmed 1/32).
