Bangladesh vs Pakistan – 1st ODI Asia Cup – Match Recap - Continued
At the end of the first innings, both teams, seemingly, would have been disappointed with their work ethics. The local team let their opponents off the hook in the final overs, while Pakistan gave http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Davenell-Frederick-Whatmore-c52571 a foretaste of the task he needs to accomplish in days to come.
Nonetheless, the match was still evenly poised for either camp to make an early, yet decisive push in the competition. The hosts looked the most likely in the initial exchanges as openers, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammed-Nazimuddin-c77528 added 45 for the first wicket.
Gul looked ineffective with the new ball, with his first four overs costing 26. The spin of Hafeez was much difficult to get away but the pitch hardly did little in terms of movement.
However, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 reeling at 135 for 5.
It was now left for Shakib to play a lonesome hand. The left-hander, who was named the Player of the Tournament in the recently concluded BPL, again proved a thorn in the opponents flesh with an impressive knock of 64.
Shakib looked unfazed by the proposition and along with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Nasir-Hossain-c77146, took the task of rebuilding the innings. From being 135 for 5, the pair added 89 for the sixth wicket – taking calculated risk while rotating the strike to keep the asking rate under their grasp.
The Men In Green’s bowling lineup appeared to have lost their wining instinct in recent weeks and with 47 needed from 42 balls, the equation firmly favoured the host.
Misbah then brought Gul back into the attack and the pacer was picked for two exquisitely timed fours from the bat off Hossain, which brought the required rate below six runs an over. However, the pacer took the boundaries as a wakeup call and fought back strongly, collaborating with Ajmal , to turn the game on its head – this time for good.
He disturbed Hossain’s castle through sheer pace, which was followed by his spin companion claiming the wickets of Razzak and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahadat-Hossain-c2480 for company.
Ajmal and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Aizaz-Cheema-c961 conceded just 6 in the next two overs and, more importantly, kept Shakib off strike before Gul’s first ball of the 49th over finally finished things off – gunning down the left-hander to help his side take a sigh of relief and more importantly, escape embarrassment.
Despite Gul's indispensable effort, the Player of the Match accolade was awarded to Hafeez. He made 89 and offered good support with the ball by taking 2 for 40.
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