Daily Times

Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik struck an undefeated 58 as Pakistan thrashed Bangladesh by five wickets in the first Twenty20 International at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Friday. Bangladesh could not put a reasonable fight as Pakistan won their first match after losing six of their last seven T20I matches with one washed out. The hosts, who were chasing a target of 142 runs set by Bangladesh, reached home with three balls to spare in the three-match series. The other main scorer for the winners was opener Ahsan Ali who made his T20I debut yesterday. He contributed 36 runs off 32 balls. Malik’s 45-ball knock was his eighth Twenty20 fifty as Pakistan overhauled the modest target in 19.3 overs to take 1-0 lead in the series. Pakistan also handed Twenty20 debut to pacer Haris Rauf. The win further consolidated Pakistan’s chances of hanging on to their world number one ranking in the shortest format. If they lose any of the remaining matches –– on Saturday (today) and Monday, also in Lahore, Australia will replace them at the top. Recently, Pakistan have had an unimpressive run in T20Is — in October, they were whitewashed by an amateur Sri Lankan team in Lahore and lost another series to Australia a month later.

Lahore’s foggy weather prompted the Pakistan Cricket Board to start the match at 2:00 pm but it failed to attract more than 10,000 people in the 24,000-capacity stadium. Pakistan’s chase was initially jolted when they lost their captain Babar Azam on only the second ball into their innings, caught behind off an inside edge off fast bowler Shafiul Islam. Another recalled batsman Mohammad Hafeez hit three crisp boundaries and was looking in good touch before he miscued a flick and was caught off Mustafizur Rahman for 17. Malik and Ahsan took Pakistan to 81 and before Iftikhar Ahmed (16) added a further 36 for the fourth wicket but even the fall of Iftikhar and Imad Wasim (06) did not derail Pakistan. Shafiul was the best Bangladesh bowler with 2-27.

Malik, playing his first match since February last year, was in sublime form as he hit five boundaries and added 46 for the third wicket with debutant Ahsan. Malik, fourth leading run-getter in Twenty20 internationals with 2321 in a record 112 matches, credited bowlers for the win. “Congratulations to the whole Pakistan for this win and for hosting another match,” said Malik. “It wasn’t an easy pitch and our bowlers restricted them to a gettable total. It’s tough to be in and out of the team but I have been playing leagues and domestic cricket and that helped me stage a comeback in this match. I am happy to help achieve this win in a chase.”

Earlier, Bangladesh, who won the toss and opted to bat on a flat Gaddafi Stadium pitch, finished their allotted 20 overs at 141-5. Only openers Mohammad Naim, who hit 43 off 41 and Tamim Iqbal, who made 39 from 34, batted with authority. Naim smashed two sixes and three boundaries while Iqbal had four boundaries and a six in his knock. Skipper Mahmudullah chipped in with a quick 14-ball 19 which included two boundaries. The tour is of significance for Pakistan, as it is another step towards efforts to assure the world that the country is safe to host international cricket. Bangladesh had initially declined to play a Test in Pakistan, proposing that the match be held on a neutral venue. The Pakistan Cricket Board, however, refused to hold the match elsewhere.