Shahid Afridi starred with bat and ball as Pakistan survived a small collapse to defeat Bangladesh by five wickets in the first one-day international in Dhaka.The leg-spinner ripped through the Bangladesh line-up as the hosts were bundled out for 91 after electing to bat at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium -- with seven batsmen failing to reach double figures.
After bowling the hosts out for just 91, Pakistan looked on course for a crushing win but the Tigers showed some fight in the field to reduce their opponents to 63 for five. As the runs dried up on the turning wicket, Afridi broke free with three successive fours off Shakib and then cut the same bowler for another boundary to win the game.Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq made 16 not out, sharing a match-winning stand of 30 with Afridi. It was Pakistan's 26th win in 27 one-dayers against Bangladesh, the lone defeat having come during the 1999 World Cup in England.
Afridi, who was the obvious choice for the man of the match, said he wanted to do well every time he took the field.
It was an impressive bowling display by the visitors, everyone involved picking up at least a wicket, while number seven Nasir Hossain top-scored for Bangladesh with 21.The hosts gave themselves hope with the wickets of Imran Farhat (12), Mohammad Hafeez (22), Younus Khan (two), Sarfraz Ahmed (two) and Umar Akmal (seven).
But Afridi and Misbah (16no) steadied the ship before steering their side to victory.
No comments:
Post a Comment