Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four on Wednesday in Lahore, driven by pace bowler Haris Rauf.
Rauf took 4-19 and Naseem Shah, his pace partner, ended with 3-34 as they bowled out Bangladesh for 193 runs in 38.4 overs, setting up an easy victory for their team.
Despite losing three wickets in 39.3 overs, Pakistan was able to reach their goal because of outstanding performances from opener Imam-ul-Haq (78) and Mohammad Rizwan (63, not out).
Pakistan Defeated Bangladesh In Asia Cup 2023
After last week’s rainout resulted in a no result in the first round of group play between the archrivals, Pakistan now has a great advantage heading into Sunday’s highly hyped encounter against India in Colombo.
After opening partners Fakhar Zaman (20) and captain Babar Azam (17) fell quickly, Haq constructed the innings with four sixes and five boundaries in his 84-ball knock.
With Rizwan at the crease, Imam-ul-Haq accumulated 85 runs for the third wicket before being dismissed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz with only 35 needed to win. Haq now has 19 ODI half-centurys to his name.
Rizwan, who scored his 19th half-century off 79 balls with seven fours and a six, and Agha Salman (12 not out) saw it through with 63 balls to spare.
“I will give credit to all the boys,” Azam stated. We’ve been on a roll with our bowling, and Haris was the team’s main man today. A great victory indeed.
Bangladesh’s captain, Shakib Al Hasan, said the team lost because of bad batting.
We started off slowly and lost wickets because to some mediocre shot selection. “They have three world-class bowlers, and on a wicket like this we shouldn’t lose four wickets in the first ten overs,” Shakib added.
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat on the flat Gaddafi Stadium surface, but the fast bowling of Rauf and Naseem from Pakistan stifled their innings.
Bangladesh Batting Stats
Bangladesh’s batting collapsed after Mushfiqur Rahim (who made 64) and Shakib (who made 53) put on a hundred for the fifth wicket but were separated.
In the 30th over, Shakib was out for a duck after being caught at the boundary off a hook shot against Faheem Ashraf, a medium-fast bowler. After his departure, the team lost six wickets for 46 runs in 58 balls.
While Rahim only managed to strike five fours in his 87-ball knock, Shakib smashed seven in only 53.
Both had been instrumental in rescuing Bangladesh from a 47-4 hole, with Rauf having taken the early wickets of Mohammad Naim (20) and Towhid Hridoy (2).
The fall began when Naseem took out Miraz for zero runs.
Rahim’s superb performance came to an end in the 38th over when Rauf reappeared for his second stint and had the senior batsman caught behind. Rauf then took Taskin Ahmed out lbw for zero.
With the dismissals of Afif Hossain (12) and Shoriful Islam (1), Naseem finished off the innings.
On Saturday, Sri Lanka will host Bangladesh for the next Super Four matchup.
See More: Asia Cup 2023 Venue, Teams, Groups, Schedule & Point Table
