Tigers no different
Tigers no different
On a hot and humid evening nothing out of ordinary happened at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday as Pakistan gave another lesson to the Tigers and enhanced their chances of qualifying for the semifinals of the ICC World Twenty20.
It might not have felt like a typical T20 knock as it was so different from the tournament's first century from Alex Hales, but Ahmed Shehzad -- who hit a hundred against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup -- hit an effective, unbeaten hundred to set up Pakistan's easy 50-run victory against the home side, who looked like a stranger to the newest format of the game, especially in chase of 190 runs. Pakistan's second consecutive win from three games knocked Australia out of the tournament and make tomorrow's last group match against West Indies a virtual quarterfinal as the winners of the match will join India in the final four from Group 2.
Shehzad, the very familiar face in the Bangladesh domestic circuit for his presence in the Dhaka Premier League and BPL, almost single-handedly crafted the Pakistan innings. The right-hander's timing and placement during his 62-ball 111 were simply outstanding and he was unfazed by the fall of wickets at the other end on way to becoming first Pakistan batsman to achieve the three-digit figure in the shortest form of the game. Some of his drives over extra-cover were fantastic to watch. The late flurry from Shoaib Malik (26) and Shahid Afridi (22) were the other highlights of Pakistan innings.
The home team were in control for only one phase in the entire match when veteran left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, who came in for Shohag Gazi, removed Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez which was quickly followed by Mahmudullah Riyad's success to send back danger man Umar Akmal. Razzak got back his rhythm with his controlled bowling and conceded only 20 in four overs. Ziaur Rahman's 22 runs in the 13th over when Shehzad smashed two sixes and as many fours and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza's woeful death bowling all but confirmed the fate of the Tigers.
Mashrafe gave 24 runs in the 19th over to finish with 0-63, the third-worst bowling figure among T20 bowlers who had completed their quota. But why Mushfiqur Rahim brought him on to bowl at the death remains a mystery. Mashrafe's weakness in death overs is now a known issue but still Mushfiqur invited him.
It was a hard task for Bangladesh batting line-up to chase down the total against a quality bowling attack. Only fireworks from Tamim Iqbal could have made it possible. But the left-hander was just a shadow of his old self. He danced down on a few occasions as is his trademark style but only to defend the ball. And finally the most successful bowler, Umar Gul, got rid of him when he went down the pitch again to make room but a quick delivery on to his body only saw him chop it onto the stumps. The rest also showed their ineptness in T20 batsmanship. Shakib was the top-scorer with 38 and having seen Shoaib Malik drop his catch at long on, generously offered another off Gul to point.
Bangladesh will search for some solace when they meet Australia in the last match tomorrow.