LIVE WT20: Pakistan thrash Bangladesh by 8 wkts
September 25, 2012
Pakistan qualify for Super 8s with a convincing win over Bangladesh.
Chasing 176 runs for victory, Pakistan got off to a resounding start courtesy off a brilliant 36-ball 72 from Imran Nazir.
Mohammad Hafeez gave him good company with 47-ball 45. It was disappointing to see Bangladesh bowlers not bowl to a plan as they were taken apart by the batters.
There was a ray of hope for Bangladesh when they removed Hafeez and Nazir in quick succession, but Nasir Jamshed and Kamran Akmal ensured the former champions reached the target with 8 balls to spare.
Bangladesh have managed to get the breakthrough removing Imran Nazir for 36-ball 72.
Nazir who blasted the Bangladeshi bowlers to all corners of the park, was finally holed out in the deep by Farhad Reza.
Mohammad Hafeez, meanwhile, is closing in on a half-century and it should be a walk in the park for Pakistan from here on.
And just as we speak, Hafeez too is on his way back after edging one to Mushfiqur Rahim for 45.
Two wickets in an over -- time for Bangladesh to bowl some pressure overs to new batsmen.
Pakistan were 126-2 after 14 overs still requiring 50 runs off 36 balls.
Imran Nazir smashed a brilliant 25-ball half century to put Pakistan in drivers seat chasing 176 for victory.
Nazir, who startd off slowly picked up his game and punished Bangladesh bowlers reach the milestone with 7 boundaries and 3 sixes.
Mohammad Hafeez is giving him good company with 29 off 33 balls.
At the half way stage, Pakistan were 92-0. Pakistan need 84 runs off 60 balls.
Pakistan openers Mohammad Hafeez and Imram Nazir are hogging on some poort bowling from Bangladesh opening bowlers.
Nazir slow to start with, caught up Hafeez, who was going hammer and tonks in the first five overs.
Nazir was severe on Mortaza who gave 15 runs off his third over. Shafiful Islam too has not been in the best of bowling form for Bangladesh.
Pakistan soon brought up their 50-runs in the 5th over itself as they were 64-0 after six overs.
Hafeez is on 24, while Nazir is on 34.
Pakistan are off to a steady start chasing 176 for victory. Mohammad Hafeez has been the aggressor, hitting three boundaries.
Imran Nazir, who is the more flamboyant of the two, has been watchful in the inital overs.
Bangladesh meanwhile, would look to bundle Pakistan out early so that they can make a back door entry to the Super 8s.
At the end of 3 overs, Pakistan were 23-0.
Shakib al Hasan smashed a brilliant 53-ball 84 to power Bangaldesh to 175-6 after electing to bat first.
Bangladesh openers provided the initial firepower and since then Shakib took over and dominated the Pakistani bowlers.
He was finally dismissed by Yasir Arafat, looking for some big runs in the final over.
He was particularly severe on Umar Gul, who had an off day giving 43 runs off his 3 overs.
Shahid Afridi was the pick of the bowlers with 1-20 off his four overs.
Shakib Al Hasan smashed a brilliant 33-ball 50 to put Bangladesh in command.
The southpaw reached the landmark with a maximum off Yasir Arafat as Bangladesh reached 118-2 after 13 overs.
Shakib is on 53 off 34 balls, while Mushfiqur is on 18 off 20 balls.
Shakib Al Hasan is playing a cameo in here as he tearing apart Pakistan bowlers.
After Bangladesh lost two quick wickets, Shakib played intelligently. The showpiece of the innings so far is the six that he hit of Umar Gul, which hit the advertising board.
He followed it with a boundary through point, which brought the 100-run mark for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh were 102-2 after 11 overs. Shakib is on 40 off 26 balls, while Mushfiqur Rahim is on 16.
After losing Mohammad Ashraful, Bangladesh now have lost the other opener Tamim Iqbal for 24.
An unlucky one for Tamim as Shakib played on straight to the fielder and called for a run and then said no.
Unfortunately for Tamim he slipped in his way as Hafeez whips the bails apart to give the breakthrough.
At the end of 7 overs Bangladesh were 65-2.
Bangladesh are off to a flying start after winning the toss and electing to bat first in a must-win game.
Mohammad Ashraful has been the aggresive of the two batsmen as he smashed Sohail Tanvir for a couple of boundaries in his first over.
Tamim Iqbal, meanwhile, at the other end smashed three boundaries off Umar Gul as Bangladesh began to roll.
But Tanvir provided the breakthrough as he castled Ashraful for 14. Ashraful going in for a wild slog missed the ball as it clipped top of off stump to provide the breakthrough.
Bangladesh 35-1 after 3.2 overs.
Banglas
Welcome to the crunch Group D match between Bangaldesh and Pakistan here in Pallekele.
Bangaldesh have won the toss and have elected to bat first in a must-win game.
Bangaldesh not only have to win the match, they have to win handsomly.
Pakistan are going in with the same team, while Bangaldesh have made in one change to the side bring in Abul Hasan in place of Elias Sunny.
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