Pakistan crushed a hapless Bangladesh by 10 wickets in the inconsequential last Super League match in the Asia Cup after pace man Abdur Rauf took a career-best 3-24 at the National Stadium on Friday.
The 29-year-old rattled Bangladesh’s top order to help Pakistan bowl out the visitors for just 115 in 38.2 overs, after the tourists won the toss and elected to bat in overcast conditions.
Pakistan openers Nasir Jamshed scored 52 not out and Salman Butt made an unbeaten 56 to see the home team through at a canter.
PHOTO: AP
The paltry target proved no obstacle whatsoever for the home team as Jamshed and Butt thrashed an innocuous looking Bangladesh attack to all corners of the park.
Butt hit 10 fours during his 62-ball knock, while Jamshed notched five fours and two sixes during his 56 balls.
With nothing to play for except pride since titleholders Sri Lanka and India have already qualified for today’s final,
Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said it was the “complete” performance by his team.
“It’s disappointing that we could not reach the final, but we still gave a complete performance against Bangladesh and ended the tournament on a high. Our bowlers were very good, especially Rauf,” Malik said.
Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons admitted his team had rarely performed so badly.
“I think the boys were already thinking of the flight back home and so gave one of their worst performances. We simply couldn’t bat and never seemed on course for a good, respectable total,” Siddons said.
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