Off-spinners Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik grabbed two wickets apiece to lead Pakistan to a comfortable 50-run win over Bangladesh in a low-scoring, one-off Twenty20 international on Tuesday.
Bangladesh, replying to Pakistan’s modest 135 for seven, narrowly avoided their record T20 low of 78 before finishing their chase on 85 for nine.
Nasir Hossain scored 35 not out to help Bangladesh past their lowest score, but it was nowhere near enough against a Pakistan side playing their 50th Twenty20 International.
Photo: AFP
The home team struggled from the start, losing their first five wickets for only 23 runs.
Hafeez, opening the bowling, took two for 11 and Bangladesh had to wait until the ninth over for their first boundary.
Malik (2 for 7) and Shahid Afridi (1 for 15) joined him to strangle Bangladesh on a slow turning track that made batting extremely difficult.
Pakistan also had to curb their attacking instincts and settle for a below-par score despite starting well with a 30-run opening stand.
Hafeez, who also opened the batting, top-scored for Pakistan with 25 off 31 balls, and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq was 21 not out as Pakistan hit only two boundaries in the last five overs.
Umar Akmal provided the only fluent batting of the match, scoring 20 off 14 balls including three fours.
Leg-spinner Alok Kapali was the most successful bowler for Bangladesh with two for 12 and left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan completed figures of two for 24.
Misbah hailed his team’s batting performance.
“There were some loose patches and the ball was just bouncing and turning,” he said.
“If you consider the wicket, I think the batsmen did a pretty good job for the way they got the start. There was a little tremble in the middle overs which cut down the score by 10 to 12 runs and scoring 140 or 150 could have been a brilliant job,” Misbah said.
Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim echoed Misbah’s sentiments.
“They had a very good attack and it was not always easy to face them in this kind of wicket,” Rahim said.
“And they all bowled to the best of their ability. It did not allow none of our top order batsmen to settle on the wicket,” added Rahim, who was without free-scoring opener Tamim Iqbal, who was left out because of a knee injury.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely