Tigers keep Pakistan gasping

Sabbir Hossain :Bangladesh went down fighting to the last moment in a heroic battle on the pitch against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur yesterday. The last moment of the game was breath taking as the Tigers kept Pakistan gasping running behind the ball. Electing to bat first, Bangladesh piled up a mammoth 326 for the loss of three wickets in the allotted 50 overs. It was Bangladesh’s highest score in their ODI campaign. In reply, Pakistan reached the winning spot making 329 for the loss of seven wickets when they had just one ball to spare.Pakistan made a solid start scoring 97 runs in the opening stand before Mohammad Hafeez was caught at the long-on by Imrul Kayes off Mominul Haque.Later, Pakistan faced batting collapse losing their two wickets for eight runs.Then Ahmed Shehzad and Fawad Alam added together 105 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Ahmed Shehzad was cleanly bowled out by left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak when Pakistan’s total was 210 for the loss of four wickets.Ahmed Shehzad made 103 from 123 balls including 12 fours and a sixer. It was Shehzad’s fifth ODI century.Later, Shahid Afridi made the difference closer hitting a superb 59. His 25-ball hurricane innings was studded with seven massive over boundaries and two boundaries. Injured Shahid Afridi was run out by a direct throw of Shakib Al Hasan when Pakistan’s score was 294 for the loss of six wickets.Fawad Alam also played a vital role for Pakistan’s victory making 74 from 70 balls with four fours and two sixes.At last Umar Akmal earned hard-fought victory hitting an unbeaten 14 from nine balls.Mominul Haque claimed two wickets instead of 37 runs while Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad and Abdur Razzak took one wicket apiece.Earlier, Bangladesh made a formidable start as wicketkeeper-batsman Anamul Haque and Imrul Kayes, the two openers put on together 150 runs in the opening stand before Imrul Kayes was caught behind by wicketkeeper Umar Akmal off Mohammad Talha when Bangladesh’s score was 150 for the loss of one wicket.After departure of Imrul Kayes, Anamul Haque and promising Mominul Haque contributed together 54 runs for the second wicket partnership before Anamul Haque was caught at the deep midwicket by Ahmed Shehzad off Saeed Ajmal when Bangladesh’s total was 204 for the loss of two wickets.Anamul Haque cracked a terrific 100. His 132-ball innings was studded with four over boundaries and six boundaries. It was Anamul’s second ODI century in his career.Imrul Kayes notched up a superb 59. His 75-ball knock was laced with five fours and two sixers. It was Imrul’s 10th ODI half century.After dismissal of Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim added together 45 runs for the third wicket stand before Mominul Haque was caught at the deep square leg by Mohammad Hafeez off Saeed Ajmal when the electronic score board was giving a reading of 249 for the loss of three wickets.Mominul Haque made a chanceless 51 from 47 balls with six boundaries. It was Mominul’s 4th ODI half century.After dismissal of Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan contributed together 77 runs in the unbroken fourth wicket partnership.Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten with 51. His 33-ball quick-fire knock was decorated with eight boundaries. It was Mushfiqur’s 14th ODI half century.Shakib Al Hasan remained undefeated with 44. His 16-ball windy innings was ornamented with six fours and two huge sixes.Saeed Ajmal bagged two wickets at the cost of 61 runs while Mohammad Talha got one wicket conceding 68 runs.