Published: Mar 02, 2016, 08:37 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 02, 2016, 08:56 PM (IST)
Pakistan courtesy of some excellent hitting from Sarfraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik scored 129 for 7 in their 20 Overs in Match 8 of the Asia Cup T20 2016 at Mirpur on Wednesday. Pakistan got off to a disastrous start as they lost the wicket of Khurram Manzoor in the second over, as Al Amin Hossain struck in his very first over. Sharjeel Khan looked to break lose but he could not manage anything more than a four and a six as he was bowled by spinner Arafat Sunny after he missed a big heave. But Mohammad Hafeez should consider him a tad unlucky as he was adjudged leg before off the bowling of Mashrafe Mortaza for just a couple of runs. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Bangladesh vs Pakistan, Asia Cup T20 2016, Match 8 at Dhaka
Pakistan were tottering at 20 for 3 after the first six overs. The responsibility of getting Pakistan to a big score was on Umar Akmal and Sarfraz Ahmed, who was promoted above Akmal to No. 4. The pressure got the better of Akmal as he holed out in the deep off Taskin Ahmed. It was now up to Shoaib Malik to replicate his form from the match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sarfraz was going well at the other end at that point. LIVE BLOG: Bangladesh vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2016 BAN vs PAK, 8th T20I Match at Dhaka
Malik and Sarfraz put on a much-needed 50-run stand off just 41 deliveries and were looking set to take Pakistan to a competitive score. But their 70-run stand was brought to an end after Malik holed out off Sunny. Pakistan brought up their 100 in the 17th over, with half their side back in the hut. Skipper Shahid Afridi lasted just a couple of deliveries as he was dismissed for a duck.
Sarfraz then ensured that he batted out the overs and got to his half-century in the process, to ensure that Pakistan bowlers had something to bowl at. Bangladesh will fancy themselves to win this match. They have a good batting line-up, with Tamim Iqbal returning to the side at the top of the innings. Earlier, Pakistan had won the toss and elected to bat first.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan 129 for 7 (Sarfraz Ahmed 58*, Shoaib Malik 41; Al Amin Hossain 3 for 25, Arafat Sunny 2 for 35) vs Bangladesh
(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCountry. He has represented Karnataka table tennis under-15, and is a hardcore supporter of Liverpool FC. His Twitter handle is @pramz)
