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LAHORE: Salman Ali Agha’s half-century, followed by Hasan Ali’s five-wicket haul, as Pakistan sealed a resounding 37-run victory over Bangladesh in the first T20I here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
Chasing a daunting target of 202 runs, Bangladesh’s batting line faltered and were bundled out for 164 in 19.2 overs.
In pursuit of the target, Bangladesh had a similar start to Pakistan as they lost two wickets in four overs. Parvez Hossain Emon (4 off two balls) was removed only in the second over, while Tanzid Hasan fell in the fourth over.
Tanzid’s brisk 31 off 17 ended, courtesy of Hasan Ali’s good bowling.
Following the early hiccups, skipper Litton Das came to the fore, forging a steady stand with Towid Hridoy for the third wicket. The rapid partnership helped visitors reach the 100-run mark in just 12 overs.
The duo’s batting kept Bangladesh afloat, not before Liton’s removal, who was caught by Fakhar Zaman. He top-scored with 48 off 30 deliveries, striking at 160 with the help of three sixes and a four.
Litton Das’s wicket triggered a collapse that Bangladesh could not recover from. Khushdil Shah ended Hridoy’s sluggish 22-ball 17 while Agha Salman ended Shamim Hossain’s (4) innings.
Bangladesh were eventually reduced to 108-5 in 13.1 overs. With required run-rate creeping, Pakistan sensed a comfortable victory until Jaker Ali’s cameo.
He was removed in the 18th over after a quick-fire 36. He faced 20 balls in which he struck three sixes and a four, but it was not enough while chasing an above-par target.
Following his removal, the visitor’s innings was eventually folded in the 20th over.
Hasan Ali, on his return to the national side, starred with a five-wicket haul while Shadab Khan bagged two wickets.
For his all-round performance, Shadab Khan was named the ‘Player of the Match’.
Earlier, after opting to bat, Skipper Salman Ali Agha’s half-century and Shadab Khan’s blitz powered Pakistan to a 201-run total for the loss of seven wickets in their 20 overs.
Pakistan had a poor start to their innings as their dynamic opening duo, Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, fell cheaply in the opening overs.
Saim was the first to go without scoring while Fakhar fell on the score of one in the second over, leaving Pakistan two for five.
However, skipper Agha Salman led from the front, stitching a 48-run stand with Mohammad Haris to steady the Green Shirts.
Haris was going well until his dismissal after scoring 31 off 18 deliveries, with the help of four boundaries and a six. Pakistan was eventually reduced to 53 in 6.3 overs.
Meanwhile, Agha remained steady, crafting another stand with Hasan Nawaz. Both batters scored briskly in a 65-run partnership, bringing the score to 118 in 12 overs.
The skipper’s wicket halted Pakistan’s momentum as he was removed just after his half-century. Agha Salman top-scored with 56 off 34 deliveries, striking eight fours and a six.
Shadab Khan joined Hasan Nawaz, who was dismissed after scoring 44 off 22 deliveries, featuring two fours and four sixes. One wicket followed another as the incoming batter Khushdil Shah (5 off 10 balls) short stay came to an end. followed him.
At this stage, Pakistan was 150-6 in 16.1 overs with vice-captain Shadab Khan at one end. With wickets in quick succession, Shadab Khan struck a crucial 48-run knock, helping Pakistan score above 200.
He was removed on the last ball of the penultimate over. Shadab struck five fours and two sixes in his brisk knock.
For Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam was the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets, while Mahedi Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rishad Hossain, and Shamim Hossain claimed one scalp apiece.
Pakistan Bangladesh Playing XIs
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (capt), Towhid Hridoy, Mahedi Hasan, Jaker Ali (wk), Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Salman Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Hassan Ali, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
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