At the Gaddafi Stadium on September 6, Pakistan’s Babar Azam team stunned Bangladesh with a dramatic seven-wicket victory to start the Super 4s of the Asia Cup 2023.
Having won the toss and chosen to bat first, Bangladesh was bowled out for a disappointing 193 runs in 38.4 overs. Bangladesh’s captain Shakib Al Hasan (53) and wicketkeeper-batter Mushfique Rahim (64), both of whom scored half-centuries, were crucial players. Pakistan’s bowling assault was led by Haris Pauf and Naseem Shah, who each took four and three wickets.
Men in Green successfully surpassed the mark in 39.3 overs thanks to outstanding batting performances by Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan. The wicketkeeper-batter played an unbeaten 79-ball 63 runs, including seven boundaries and one maximum, while the opening batter scored 78 runs off 84 deliveries. Bangladesh’s Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Mehidy Hasan each claimed one wicket.
Talking points from the seventh game between Bangladesh and Pakistan:
For his group, Shakib Al Hasan took the initiative.
After Pakistan’s bowlers cheaply destroyed the top order, Shakib Al Hasan led his team from the front. The all-rounder used seven fours to help him get 53 runs in a tough 57-ball innings. He scored 100 runs for the fifth wicket alongside Mushfiqur Rahim (64), who also contributed.
Haris Rauf’s impressive bowling performance
In the first innings, Pakistan’s standout bowler was Haris Rauf. In his six-over period, the 29-year-old concluded with superb figures of 4/19. The pacer is now the third-fastest bowler to notch up 50 wickets for Pakistan, which is another achievement for him.
Pakistan benefits from Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan’s success.
Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq led Pakistan’s innings with fifty-plus scores. During the chase, the pair put together a 74-run partnership for the third wicket. The undefeated 63 runs that Rizwan scored helped his team reach the goal in 39.3 overs.
Shakib Al Hasan, the outgoing captain, said:
We lost at the start, they bowled really well and we played some ordinary shots. On a wicket like this, we shouldn’t have lost four wickets in 10 overs. We had a very good partnership, we should have got going for 7-8 overs. After I got out, there were no more partnerships. Very poor batting display on a surface like this. We have to take it on our chin and move to the next one as we have another game in a couple of days. They (Pakistan) are the number one team, they’ve got three world-class frontline bowlers.
If they can do that, it gets easier for their batsmen. We have been doing well in our bowling department. Batting at this moment is little bit hot and cold. We need to be consistent and that’s what we’ll try to do. Our three seamers bowled brilliantly. They have been bowling well for the last couple of years. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the wickets. It wasn’t a pitch where you can get wickets unless batsmen make a mistake. When I played the LPL, the pitches were slow. If that happens, it suit us better. Hopefully we do well in Colombo.
Babar Azam, the winning captain, said:
Too much heat, but full credit to the fast bowlers. First Shaheen and then Haris Rauf. We planned on picking Faheem because we saw the pitches here, there was grass on it and we like that also. Always when we play here, the crowd supports us and I hope all of them enjoyed this match. (On playing India) This win will give us confidence, we are always ready for a big match. We will give our 100% in the next match.
Haris Rauf, POTM, said:
It was hot out there, but I’ve played a lot of cricket here. I play PSL for Lahore, the crowd always expects us to perform here. Before any game, we do plan as a bowling unit. We talk about bowling to different plans based on the game phase. Hard length was tough to play here, and the plan was to keep bowling stump to stump. Didn’t need to go to the yorker today. I keep working hard and I have high goals for myself, I want to be the Player of the Series in this Asia Cup, let’s see how the tournament proceeds.
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