Lahore (Web Desk): Pakistan won by seven wickets against Bangladesh in in the first match of the Super Four stage of Asia Cup 2023 at Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.
Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first and set the target of 194 runs.
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Pakistan easily achieved Bangladesh's target of 194 runs on loss of 3 wickets in the 40th over.
While chasing target, opener Fakhar Zaman was removed by Shoriful Islam for 20 runs in initial stage, After Zaman's wicket, skipper Babar Azam was bowled by Taskin Ahmed's low-bounced delivery, only on 17 runs.
Opener Imam-ul-Haq was the top scorer for the green shirts with his 78 off 84 which included nine boundaries. Mohammad Rizwan remained not with 63 runs which included 8 boundaries.
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Agha Salman contributes 12 runs in run chase after Imam got bowled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Rizwan came to bat when Pakistan was 74-2 with Imam on crease and both players built a much needed 85-run partnership and led Pakistan to victory.
Earlier in the first inning, Bangladesh were all-out for 193 runs after an amazing spell by the Pakistani pacers.
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The Pakistan side was dominating since the start of the match with first wicket on the seventh ball of the match.
After Shaheen Afridi bowled a maiden over, Naseem Shah removed Mehidy Hasan Miraz on his first ball of the innings, giving Pakistan team an early breakthrough.
As the wickets continued to fall for the Bengal Tigers, they were 47/4 in just 9.1 overs.
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After that, the experienced duo of Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakil Al Hasan built a 100-run partnership and taking their side to a decent score.
Hasan was removed by Faheem Ashraf for 53 runs, then Haris Rauf removed Rahim on 64.
Just after Rahim's wicket, Rauf removed Taskin Ahmed on the very next ball.
The last two wickets for Pakistan were taken by Naseem.
Haris Rauf dominate the home side with 4 wickets haul, Naseem got 3 wickets, Shaheen Afridi, Faheem Ashraf and Iftikhar Ahmed got one wicket each.
In the end, Haris Rauf was awarded Player of the match for his outstanding spell with 4 wickets haul.
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The next super-four stage game will be played between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, in Colombo on 9 September. Pakistan will now play their next Super Four match against arch-rivals India in in Colombo on Sunday, September 10.
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Scores in brief:
Pakistan win by 7 wickets (63 balls remaining).
Bangladesh: 193 all out in 38.4 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 64, Shakib Al Hasan 53; Haris Rauf 4-19, Naseem Shah 3-34)
Pakistan: 194-3 in 39.3 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 78, Muhammad Rizwan 63 not out; Shoriful Islam 1-24, Taskin Ahmed 1-32)
