Pakistan crush Bangladesh by 55 runs

Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan made a huge 201 runs for loss of five wickets, thanks to hurricane knock of 49 from 19-ball by  skipper Shahid Afridi which came off  four 4x4 and 6x4.

Chasing a target  score of 202 to win Bangladesh made 146 for loss of six wickets.

Bangladesh all rounder and former captain Shakib-al Hasan  remained undefeated with 50 from 40 balls with 4x5 and one 6.

Bangladesh never looked to score the big target as their batsmen faltered at the speed and accuracy of Pakistan bowlers,  Md Shabir Rahman was the second highest scorer with 25 runs.   

The win for Pakistan gave the Shahid Afridi side to produce  a sweet revenge against Bangladesh, who ousted the Green Brigade in the Asia Cup in Mirpur  on Mar 2.

The loss in Mirpur had deprived Pakistan to meet their arch rivals India, who won finally won the Asia Cup for 6th time.

The victory also ensured Pakistan‘s dominancy over Bangladesh with all five wins they encountered each other in the T20 world cup so far.

Now Pakistan with  one up in the death group will take on host India, who already lost to New Zealand in the opener at Nagpur on Tuesday. India were all out in 79 runs under 18.1 overs after Kiwi made 126 runs.

Shahid Afridi correctly called the toss and decided to bat in the placid wicket with a belief that first batting at Eden would help his side, especially experiencing win in the warm up match against Sri Lanka on last Sunday.

Afridi came good with his willow after the top order batsmen  Ahmed Shezad (52 ) and the highest  scorer  Md Hafeez ( 64 from 42-ball with 7 fours and 2 sixes ) made the solid foundation.

After mesmerizing the local fans with his bat, Shahid Afridi also emerged highest wicket taker along with opening bowler Mohamad Aamir for Pakistan with identical margin  2 wickets conceding 27 runs in four overs.

Afridi had a bout of fever on Tuesday and could not attend the vital practice before the match.

But the right handed batsman looked terrific today with his willow against the spinners and pacers of Bangladesh. His fall came at 49 runs in the last over when he attempted a big hit off  Bangladesh  strike bowler Taskin Ahmed, who finished with two wickets conceding 32 runs.

Bangla spinner Arafat Sunny also took two wickets in  34 runs.

The 2009 winners Pakistani opening duo Sharjeel Khan and Ahmad Shazad  took control of the pitch but the former departed  while trying to hit big off Arafat Sunny’s  first over.  Khan’s brisk 18 came from 12 balls hitting one boundary and two sixes before being bowled out .

After first wicket partnership of 26 runs Pakistan’s  first down  batsman  Muhammad Hafeez shouldered the responsibility to carry on the task along with Ahmad Shazad and both together stitched 95 runs to 121 for two in 13.5 overs.

Shehzad was  finally got out in 52 runs from 39 balls With 8 boundaries before falling to   Mahmudullah off  Sabbir Rahman.