Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh lost to Pakistan by 55 runs in their first Group 2 match of the ICC World Twenty20 at the flood-lit Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India on Wednesday.
Electing to bat first, Pakistan piled up a mammoth total of 201 for the loss of five wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and then they restricted Bangladesh to 146 for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.
Bangladesh had a sorrow start as they lost opener Soumya Sarkar (0) when Bangladesh’s score was just one.
Then Tamim Iqbal and Sabbir Rahman repaired the early damage contributing together 43 runs for the second wicket stand before Sabbir Rahman was bowled out by Shahid Afridi when the team’s total was 44 for the loss of two wickets.
After dismissal of Sabbir Rahman, Tamim Iqbal could stay at the crease for a short time as he was caught at the deep square leg by Imad Wasim off Shahid Afridi when Bangladesh’s score was 58 for the loss of three wickets.
Mahmudullah Riyad (4) failed to shine with the willow as he was caught by Sharjeel Khan off Imad Wasim when Bangladesh’s total was 71 for the loss of four wickets.
After removal of Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim contributed together 39 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before out of form Mushfiqur Rahim (18) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed off Mohammad Amir when Bangladesh’s score was 110 for the loss of five wickets.
Shakib Al Hasan remained unbeaten with exact 50. He hit five fours and a sixer in his 40-ball innings. It was Shakib’s sixth Twenty20 International half century.
Mohammad Mithun also failed with willow as he (2) was caught at the third man by Mohammad Amir off Mohammad Irfan when Bangladesh’s total was 117 for the loss of six wickets.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza remained unbeaten with 15. He hit two fours and a sixer in his nine-ball knock.
Sabbir Rahman and Tamim Iqbal added 25 and 24 runs respectively to the Bangladesh total.
Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Amir bagged a couple of wickets each for 27 runs each.
Shahid Afridi was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.
Imad Wasim and Mohammad Irfan took one wicket apiece.
Earlier, Pakistan made a shaky start as openers Ahmed Shehzad and Sharjeel Khan added 26 runs in the opening stand before Sharjeel Khan (18) was cleanly bowled out by Arafat Sunny.
After dismissal of Sharjeel Khan, Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez repaired the damage contributing together 95 runs for the second wicket partnership before Ahmed Shehzad was caught at the mid-wicket by Mahmudullah Riyad off Sabbir Rahman when Pakistan’s total was 121 for the loss of two wickets.
Mohammad Hafeez hit a windy 64. He hit seven fours and two sixes in his 42-ball innings.
Ahmed Shehzad notched up a splendid 52 from 39 balls featuring eight fours.
After departure of Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez and Shahid Afridi put on together 42 runs for the third wicket stand before Mohammad Hafeez was caught at the mid-wicket by Soumya Sarkar from a delivery of Arafat Sunny when Pakistan’s score was 163 for the loss of three wickets.
After dismissal of Hafeez, Umar Akmal arrived at the crease but he could stay at the crease for a short period as he (0) was caught at the mid-off by Shakib Al Hasan off Taskin Ahmed when Pakistan’s total was 175 for the loss of four wickets.
After removal of Akmal, Pakistan failed to build any notable partnership.
Shahid Afridi hit a captain’s knock of 49. His 19-ball hurricane innings was decorated with four huge sixes and four fours.
Afridi was caught at the deep square leg by Mahmudullah Riyad off Taskin Ahmed when Pakistan’s score was 198 for the loss of five wickets.
Shoaib Malik remained unbeaten with 15. He hit two fours in his nine-ball knock.
Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny bagged a pair of wickets each for 32 and 34 runs respectively.
Besides, Sabbir Rahman took one wicket at the cost of 11 runs.
