1st ODI: Afridi polished Pakistan’s victory

Dhaka: Shahid Afridi starred with bat and ball in Pakistan’s five-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first one-dayer in Mirpur on Thursday.

Shahid Afridi works one to the leg side © AFP

In the first game of a three-match series, Pakistan caused the hosts all sorts of trouble with the ball as they skittled Bangladesh for just 91 with Afridi (5-23) the chief destroyer.

But Pakistan did not find it easy in response and they needed a crucial 24 not out from Afridi in the middle to help them over the line with five wickets to spare.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and elected to bat but it looked like a bad decision as early as the first over when Tamim Iqbal departed for a duck.

Naeem Islam (five) was dismissed shortly after before Bangladesh lost three wickets in six balls as Rahim (11), Shahriar Nafees (seven) and Mahmudullah (one) all fell to leave the hosts reeling at 5-31.

Nasir Hossain (21) and Shakib Al Hasan (15) looked to rebuild things and they managed to add 36 in 10 overs before their partnership was broken by Aizaz Cheema (1-12).

Afridi continued to torment the hosts with the wickets of Shakib, Farhad Reza (one) and Shafiul Islam (zero), but a plucky 15 not out from No.11 Rubel Hossain propelled Bangladesh to 91 before they were bowled out in the 31st over.

In response, Mohammad Hafeez (22) and Imran Farhat (12) got Pakistan off to a bright start as they negated the impact of Bangladesh’s new-ball bowlers.

But they were both dismissed in successive overs and when Younis Khan (two) and Sarfraz Ahmed (twp) both came and went, Pakistan had lost 4-8 and were 4-44.

Umar Akmal (seven) became the second victim of Shakib (2-42) but Afridi and Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq steadied the ship and led the tourists to victory, with the former hitting four boundaries in his 23-ball stay at the crease.

There were no surprises in store when the man-of-the-match award was announced with Afridi’s efforts recognised as Pakistan claimed a 1-0 lead in the series.

Result: Pakistan won by 5 wickets.

Man Of The Match: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan).

Posted in: Latest News