LAHORE: Haris Rauf’s four-fer, followed by Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan’s half-centuries powered Pakistan to a resounding seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s fixture on Wednesday.
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh could accumulate 193 runs before being bundled out in the 39th over despite anchoring half-centuries from skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim.
Bangladesh had a dismal start to their innings in their first Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s fixture as they were reduced to 47/4 inside the first powerplay as the Pakistan pace trio ran through their top order.
Following the slump, captain Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim launched an astonishing recovery as they put together a brilliant 100-run partnership with the former bringing up his half-century.
The pair appeared to have settled down and was looking to take the game away from Pakistan before Faheem Ashraf struck in the 30th over.
The lanky pacer outdid well-set Shakib with a short-pitched delivery, who holed it straight to Fakhar Zaman at the sweeper.
Shakib scored 53 off 57 deliveries with the help of seven boundaries.
Following Shakib’s dismissal, Mushfiqur Rahim was joined at the crease by Shamim Hossain and the pair could add 27 runs for the sixth wicket before Pakistan’s trump card Iftikhar Ahmed got rid of the latter.
Shamim scored a cautious 23-ball 16 which featured a six.
Pakistan’s in-form pacer Haris Rauf then further dented Bangladesh’s march with twin strikes in the 38th over which included the prized scalp of wicketkeeper batter Mushfiqur.
Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored for Bangladesh with 64 in 87 balls, laced up with five boundaries.
Haris’s twin strikes forced Bangladesh to slip to 190/8 before Naseem Shah emulated the feat in the next over by removing Afif Hossain and Shoriful Islam to wrap up the visitors’ innings.
Haris Rauf led the bowling attack for Pakistan with 4/19, followed by Naseem Shah’s 3/34 while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Faheem Ashraf, and Iftikhar Ahmed made one scalp each.
