Salman put on a formidable opening stand of 142 with Kamran Akmal who made a 76 off 55 balls! At the half way stage Pakistan were in a commanding position at 172/3 having won the toss and elected to bat, setting the Bengalis a run rate of 8.65 rpo to win the match.
Bangla started poorly having lost a wicket in the very first over, a reward of accuracy for Aamer as he built the pressure and enticed a rash shot from the left hander. Tamim Iqbal who was back from injury looked good before being caught and bowled by Hafeez the offspinner who wasn't needed with the bat today following the brilliance of the opening stand between the two Lahore players.
Sakib and Ashraful put on a fighting stand and for a few minutes worried the Pakistani camp and its supporters, however Mohammad Sami's 2 wicket for 3 runs in the 16th over of the BD innings turned the match equation in Pakistan's favour and from there onwards they sealed victory fairly comfortably. Mohammad Sami took 3-29 and Aamer impressed once more as he claimed top bowling figures of 2-16 in his allocated 4 overs.
Unlike the 16th May 2007 where Pakistan and India were both humiliated by the minnows at the WI WC by Bangla and Ireland respectively, they ensured 1st May 2010 wasn't to be a similar day at a Caribbean carnival for their star studded players and passionate determined supporters to forget by!
Overall, a pleasing result for Pakistan despite Shahid Afridi not coming to the party everything else more or less went to plan and Pakistan now look forward to beating the Aussies at the same venue tomorrow.
2 comments:
So much for war! HMPH!
So you ready to retain the ICC T20 trophy?
Well played Pakistan, but the real test is tonight against the Aussies.
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