Tigers suffer a 55-run loss to Pakistan

Pakistan overwhelmed Bangladesh by 55 runs in the Super Ten Group 2 match of the ICC T20 2016 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens under the lights today.

Chasing 202, Bangladesh were never in the match as none of the top-order batters could carry on after a start. With wickets lost at crucial junctures, Tigers stumbled and lost their way.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Amir and Shahid Afridi both picked two wickets for 27 runs in four overs.

On a positive note for Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan got some runs under his belt today. He was not out on 50 from 40 balls, easily the highest scorer for Tigers during a miserable batting display. Tamim Iqbal couldn’t score more than 24.

Mohammad Mithun was the sixth batsman to fall for Bangladesh in the one-sided match with Pakistan when Mohammad Irfan dismissed him in the 18th over. Mithun managed two runs from four balls.

Bangladesh lost their fifth wicket in the 17th over bowled by Mohammad Amir. The slower one from Amir was too good for Mushfiqur Rahim.

Mushfiqur was woefully out of touch, played and missed numerous times before he was caught for 18 runs.

Bangladesh lost their fourth wicket in the 11th over with only 71 runs on the board. Imad Wasim sent back Mahmudullah for four runs when the batter slog-swept straight to Sharjeel at the boundary.

Mahmudullah departed for only four runs and the writing was on the wall as far as Bangladesh were concerned.

Bangladesh were rocked again in their mammoth chase in the 8th over when the in-form batter Tamim Iqbal perished for only 24 runs.

Tamim went for the slog sweep, got more height than distance and was safely caught at deep square leg by Imad Wasim. Afridi got his second wicket of the game.

Tigers stumble after Tamim falls…

Bangladesh lost their second wicket in the sixth over after an entertaining stand of 43 runs between Sabbir and Tamim.

Sabbir was looking good for a big one, but could not deal with Afridi’s wrong-one that crashed onto the stumps. Bangladesh batsman scored 25 from 19 with five fours to his name.

Bangladesh suffered the loss of their opener Soumya in the first over of their chase. The batsman tried to play without using his feet and Mohammad Amir’s delivery pegged back Soumya’s stump.

Mohammad Amir sent back Soumya for a two-ball duck.

Earlier, Pakistan registered their 2nd highest T20I total after they finished the 20 overs against Bangladesh at 201 for 5 on the back of half-centuries from Shehzad, Hafeez and a late cameo from skipper Afridi.

Pakistan saw their top-order come to party and players like Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad and later Shahid Afridi score big at break-neck speed.

Their 2nd wicket stand yielded 95 runs while the third between produced 42 runs in real quick time late in their innings. Hafeez was the highest run-getter with 64. Shehzad chipped in with a well-made 52 while Afridi hammered 49 from only 19 balls.

For Bangladesh, Taskin and Sunny took two wickets each. Al Amin was smashed for 43 in three overs, Shakib carted for 39 from four while Mashrafe conceded 41 in only three overs.

Pakistan lost their fifth wicket, that of Afridi in the last over when he was caught in the deep for 49. Afridi struck four fours and four sixes in his cameo.

Pakistan headed towards a huge total even though they lost the wicket of Mohammad Hafeez in the 17th over bowled by Arafat Sunny.

Hafeez was brilliantly caught in the deep by Soumya Sarkar, who saved a six, kept the ball in play and had the presence of mind to take the catch well inside the boundary skirting.

Mohammad Hafeez scored a majestic 64 from 42 balls. He struck seven fours and two sixes during his stay at the wicket.

The third wicket stand between Afridi and Hafeez produced 42 runs in only 2.5 overs late in their innings.

Bangladesh got their second breakthrough after 11.2 overs of toil under the scorching Kolkata sun. Sabbir sent back Ahmed Shehzad in the 14th over when the batter picked out the fielder at deep midwicket.

Ahmed Shehzad was batting in full flow, scored 52 from 39 balls with eight hits to the fence. Together with Mohammad Hafeez, Shehzad laid the foundation for a huge total in the end.

Pakistan managed to consolidate after the fall of Sharjeel early with Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad scoring quickly without taking too many risks.

Hafeez exploited the power-play overs well, and smashed some boundaries over the top of the field with spinners in operation.

The ball was coming on pretty nicely, and the batsmen could hit through the line on the brownish Kolkata pitch.

Pakistan lost their first wicket after a brisk start to the innings. Arafat Sunny sent back Sharjeel for 18 runs when he clean bowls the batter for 18 runs.

Sharjeel was beaten in flight and the ball missed the bat to disturb his furniture. He took the attack to Al Amin and smacked two sixes and a four in his over.

Although Pakistan were rocked early, the runs kept flowing from both ends.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi called it correctly when the coin was tossed, and decided to bat first without much hesitation at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata against Bangladesh led by Mashrafe Mortaza in the Super Ten, Group 2 match of ICC WT20 2016.

The last time Bangladesh played an international match at the famous Eden Gardens in Kolkata was way back in 1990.

26 years on, a new generation of Bangladesh cricketers will take the field at the historic venue, facing India's first High Court building, against Pakistan in a different format of the game today.

Bangladesh have beaten Pakistan in the last five international matches, although in conditions vastly different to the Eden Gardens. Good form aside, the current Bangladesh unit also seems to understand the importance of continued success, gaining a new perspective and approach to the game ahead.

Despite having beaten Pakistan just a couple of weeks ago, Mortaza conveyed poise and level-headedness when he weighs in the current equation of the two sides.

Taking stock on the format as well as their opposition, the Bangladesh skipper acknowledged the history and experience that the 2009 winners have at their disposal. However, he refused to buy into the 'favourites' concept.

Having been received warmly in Kolkata by security personnel and queues of escort vehicles, Pakistan had quickly strode to a warm-up win against Sri Lanka. In that match, the top order made good contributions, and the bowling was both miserly and menacing.

Pakistan will bank on the batting form of Sarfraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal but they would also desperately want their top three - Sharjeel Khan, Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez - to fire.

The bowling attack will rely largely on Mohammad Amir, though Mohammad Irfan and Wahab Riaz will look to keep Bangladesh's top-order quiet. Shahid Afridi, Malik and, perhaps, Imad Wasim - Pakistan's spin attack - will have a tough battle against the middle-order.

Bangladesh

Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (Wicketkeeper), Mashrafe Mortaza (Captain), Mohammad Mithun, Al-Amin Hossain, Arafat Sunny and Taskin Ahmed

Pakistan

Ahmed Shehzad, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (Wicketkeeper), Shahid Afridi (Captain), Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Irfan

The official coin of ICC World T20 2016 at India used for the toss. Photo: ICC