Bangladesh suffer big defeat after dismal batting display

Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh lost to Pakistan by seven wickets in their ‘Super Four’ match of the Asia Cup at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday.

Chasing Bangladesh’s total of 193 off 38.4 overs, Pakistan reached the target in 39.3 overs making 194 for the loss of three wickets.

Bangladesh had a sorrow start as opener Mehidy Hasan Miraz (0) was caught at the square leg by Fakhar Zaman off Naseem Shah before Bangladesh failed to their account.

Opener Mohammad Naim and Litton Das repaired the damage adding together 31 runs in the second wicket stand before Litton Das (16) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan off Shaheen Shah Afridi when the tourists total was 31 for the loss of one wicket.

Later, second-down Shakib Al Hasan and fourth-down Mushfiqur Rahim fought back contributing together 100 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Shakib Al Hasan was caught at the deep backward square leg by Fakhar Zaman off Faheem Ashraf when the Tigers’ score was 147 for the loss of five wickets.

Shakib Al Hasan hit a captain’s knock of 53. His 57-ball innings was laced with seven fours.

After Shakib’s dismissal, Bangladesh failed to build any notable partnership.

Mushfiqur Rahim notched up a superb 64.

He hit five fours in his 87-ball knock before he was caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan off Haris Rauf when the visitors’ total was 190 for the loss of seven wickets.

Haris Rauf captured four wickets in the space of 19 runs, while Naseem Shah claimed three wickets at the cost of 34 runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Faheem Ashraf and Iftikhar Ahmed took one wicket apiece.

Fakhar Zaman (20) was trapped leg before wicket by Shoriful Islam when Pakistan’s score was 35.

Taskin Ahmed struck as Babar Azam (17) was cleanly bowled out by the right-arm pacer when the home side’s total was 74 for the loss of two wickets.

After Babar’s departure, Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan mended their innings adding together 85 runs in the three-wicket stand before Imam-ul-Haq was cleanly bowled out by Mehidy Hasan Miraz when Pakistan’s score was 159 for the loss of three wickets. Imam hit a top-scored with 78.

Then, Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman helped their side to anchor the victory target.

Rizwan remained unbeaten with 63, while Agha Salman remained unbeaten with 12 runs.

Miraz, Taskin and Shoriful Islam took one wicket each.