Shakib al Hasan's all-round show ensures Bangladesh's 1st victory against Pakistan in T20 International
While chasing 142 to win, the host did not had an ideal start as Pakistan got three early wickets.
Shakib al Hasan is ranked as the No. 1 all-rounder in all three formats of the game by International Cricket Council (ICC), and the former Bangladesh captain justified this ranking, with an all-round show against Pakistan, which ensured his team's maiden victory in a T20 International (T20I) against them. First an economical spell of bowling, later batting at No 3, an unbeaten match winning fifty by Shakib, continued Bangladesh's dominance against Pakistan in this ongoing tour, this time in a different format. Blog: Bangladesh vs Pakistan One-off T20 at Dhaka
While chasing a small target of 142, the host did not had an ideal start. Pakistan got three early wickets and pegged Bangladesh back. Tamim Iqbal hit one six and two boundaries to Mohammad Hafeez in the first four balls of the Bangladesh innings and it seemed this will be an early finish for the hosts. But cricket is a great leveler, and within a space of next nine balls they were 17 for Two. READ: Bangladesh: The ugly duckling of world cricket comes off age
First it was Soumya Sarkar, who hit the unbeaten hundred in the third One-Day International (ODI), was unfortunately run out for no score and without facing a ball. Later Tamim chased a wide ball outside off-stump but only managed to offer an easy catch to Hafeez at the first slip. From there the experience pair of Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim steadied the ship. Both hit some classy boundaries and kept the runs flowing. Live Scorecard: Bangladesh vs Pakistan One-off T20 International at Dhaka
However, when it was looking a smooth sail for Bangladesh, Wahab Riaz cleaned up Rahim. Bangladesh were suddenly in trouble, 38 for three. But that was the last opportunity, Pakistan team got to celebrate on field during the game. Shakib and Sabbir Rahman just dominated the Pakistan bowlers. Their unbeaten 105-run partnership of 64 balls made mockery of the target. Both scored their half centuries and saw their team through with 22 balls to spare.
Apart form Sohail Tanvir, who gave 16 runs in three overs, no other Pakistani bowler had any effect on the Bangladeshi batsmen. Though Gul and Raiz took one wicket each but they were expensive. However, Saeed Ajmal's misery with ball with the new action continued in this game as well. In 3.2 overs, Pakistan's premier spinner gave away 25 runs and failed to take any wicket.
Earlier, after a lot of huss and fuss, Pakistan only managed to score 141 for four in their allotted 20 overs, after their captain Afridi won the toss and decided to bat first at the the Shere Bangla National Stadium. Both teams had two debutants on their ranks. Bangladesh, the centurion of the third One-Day International (ODI), Soumya Sarkar and 19 years old left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman were playing their first T20I. One the other hand, middle-order batsman Mohammad Rizwan and opener Mukhtar Ahmed were also representing Pakistan for the first time in this format.
Some good bowling at the start and in the death overs by the young Bangladeshi bowlers, especially by debutant left-arm seamer Mustafizur, who took Two for 20 and didn’t allow Pakistan to get away.
The visitors, had an indifferent start as both their openers Ahmed Shehzad and Mukhtar Ahmed put a half-century partnership, but took 53 balls. In T20 standards it was too slow. Bangladesh skipper gave to new ball to Mustafizur, who gave only five runs in his first two initial overs. He clearly troubled Shehzad with his seam movement and change of pace. Other Pakistani opener Mukhtar hit some lusty blows to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Finally the ugly looking innings of Shehzad came to an end when Mashrafe Mortaza took a brilliant catch at long off in the bowling of Taskin Ahmed. To up the scoring rate, Afridi promoted himself to No. 3. He hit one six, and was looking like taking the game away from Bangladesh. However, a poor decision by umpire ended his innings and there came the funny moment of the game. After being unfortunately given out caught behind Afridi asked for a review. He had perhaps forgotten that there is no rule of decision review in a T20 International.
Mukhter also failed soon and Pakistan were struggling at 77 for in the 13th over. From there Hafeez and Haris Sohail put on a quick-fire 49-run partnership in just 34 balls, which gave Pakistan some amount of respectability. Sohail remained unbeaten at 30 at one end. Amongst Bangladeshi bowlers apart from Mustafizur, Taskin and Arafat Sunny were the other wicket takers.
The score was not threatening at all and eventually Bangladesh reached there quite comfortably. This victory was their 12th win in international cricket at home. What a dream run they are having at home.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 141 in 20 overs (Mukhtar Ahmed 37, Haris Sohail 20 ; Mustafizur Rahman 2 for 20) lost to Bangladesh 143 for 3 in 16.2 overs (Shakib al Hasan 57*, Sabbir Rahman 51*; Umar Gul 1 for 23) by 7 wickets.
Man of the match: Sabbir Rahman
(Sandipan Banerjee is a reporter at CricketCountry. Cricket has been the biggest passion for him since his childhood. So, when it came to choosing his career, he chose to turn his passion into his profession. Apart from cricket he likes mountain trekking, river rafting, and photography. His twitter handle is @im_sandipan)
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