In the first match of the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 7 wickets, thanks to the excellent bowling of Haris Rauf and the outstanding batting performance by Imam-ul-Haq.
PAK vs AFG: Haris Rauf’s Bowling Masterclass and Imam-ul-Haq’s Half-Century Power Pakistan to Victory
Pakistan delivered a stellar performance in the first Super 4 match of the Asia Cup 2023. Haris Rauf’s remarkable bowling and Imam-ul-Haq’s half-century ensured Pakistan’s victory by 7 wickets. Bangladesh faced defeat as their batsmen, apart from Rahim and Shakib, failed to provide substantial support and lost their wickets quickly.
Batting first after winning the toss, the Bangladesh team managed to score 193 runs in 38.4 overs. Mushfiqur Rahim was the top scorer for Bangladesh, amassing 64 runs off 87 balls, including 5 fours. Captain Shakib Al Hasan also played a pivotal role, contributing 53 runs from 57 balls, securing a half-century with 7 fours.
Rahim and Shakib built a partnership of 100 runs. Haris Rauf played exceptionally well in Pakistan’s bowling department, taking 4 wickets against Bangladesh and becoming the highest wicket-taker in the Asia Cup 2023 with 9 wickets. In addition to Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah secured three wickets, while Shaheen Afridi, Faheem Ashraf, and Iftikhar Ahmed each claimed one wicket.
Pakistan chased Bangladesh’s target of 194 runs by losing 3 wickets in 39.3 overs. Imam-ul-Haq displayed a brilliant batting performance, scoring 78 runs off 84 balls, including 5 fours and 4 sixes. Mohammad Rizwan played an unbeaten half-century, amassing 68 runs with 7 fours and one six in 79 balls. Imam and Rizwan forged an excellent partnership, contributing 85 runs. In Bangladesh’s bowling, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Mehdi Hasan Miraj managed to take one wicket each.
Bangladesh’s Playing Eleven:
- Mohammad Naim
- Mehdi Hasan Miraj
- Liton Das
- Tauheed Hridoy
- Afif Hossain
- Taskin Ahmed
- Shariful Islam
- Hassan Mahmood
- Shakib Al Hasan (captain)
- Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper)
- Shamim Hossain
Pakistan’s Playing Eleven:
- Fakhar Zaman
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Babar Azam (captain)
- Faheem Ashraf
- Shaheen Afridi
- Naseem Shah
- Haris Rauf
- Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper)
- Agha Salman
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Shadab Khan
