Pakistani pace too hot to handle for Bangladesh in super 4 match

 

Pakistan continued their strong performance in the Asia Cup 2023 and registered another resounding victory.  The Pakistani team, captained by Babar Azam, defeated Bangladesh by 7 wickets in the first match of the Super-4 round.  In this match played in Lahore also, the power of Pakistan's fast bowlers was seen, due to which Pakistan stopped Bangladesh for just 193 runs.  Then due to the excellent half-century innings of Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan achieved this target within 40 overs.

 This was the last match of the tournament in Asia Cup 2023 hosts Pakistan and the Pakistani team continued their successful campaign by showing complete dominance at the Gaddafi Stadium.  The way Pakistani fast bowlers wreaked havoc against Nepal and India, that trend continued on this day as well.  In the third match in a row, Pakistan bowled out the opposition and its star remained its fast bowler.

 The beginning was made in the second over itself when the centurion of the previous match Mehdi Hasan Miraj was dismissed without opening the account on the ball of Naseem Shah being caught at square leg.  Then Litton Das (16) , who returned to the team after recovering from illness, also fell victim to Shaheen Shah Afridi after playing some good shots.  Haris Rauf's speed completely stunned Mohammad Naeem and Tauheed Hridoy and 4 wickets fell for 47 runs in 9 overs.

 From here the two most experienced batsmen of the team handled the innings.  Captain Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim together stopped Pakistan's attack and got the team back by sharing a 100-run partnership.  After completing his half-century, Shakib (53) became the victim of Faheem Ashraf and from here the innings faltered again.  Naseem and Haris dealt with the lower order quickly and bowled out Bangladesh for 193 in just 38.4 overs. Mushfiqur was the top scorer with 64 . 

 Bangladesh's fast bowlers also made a tight start and did not allow Pakistan to score runs freely.  Shoriful Islam achieved the first success by dismissing Fakhar Zaman (20) in the tenth over.  At that time Pakistan's score was only 35 runs.  Captain Babar Azam made a partnership with Imam Ul Haq but he too could not last long and was bowled by a rapid incoming ball from Taskin Ahmed for 17 .

 Despite the small score, Bangladesh seemed to have a chance to make a comeback but Imam and Mohammad Rizwan took the lead here and dashed Bangladesh's hopes.  There was a partnership of 85 runs between the two for the third wicket, which ensured Pakistan's victory.  Mehdi Hasan Miraj got a consolation for the team by bowling Imam ( 78) , while Mohammad Rizwan (63*) stayed unbeaten after completing his half-century after taking the team to the target.  Pakistan also took 39.3 overs to reach the target. Haris Rauf (4/19) for his hostile and successful  bowling was the player of the match .