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ISLAMABAD: A superb five-wicket haul by fast bowler Abbas Afridi and half-centuries by Haseebullah and Usman Khan guided Pakistan Shaheens to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Bangladesh ‘A’ in the first one-day here at the Islamabad Club on Monday.
The win gives Shaheens a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second game will be played at the same venue on Wednesday.
After opting to field, Shaheens dismissed the visiting team for a paltry total of 183 in 36 overs.
Right-armer Abbas was the pick of the bowlers, with match figures of 9-0-38-5. This was Abbas’ second five-fer in 22 List-A matches. He was later named player of the match.
Left-arm pacer Jahandad Khan (2-51) and left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz (2-29) supported Abbas well.
Only Saif Hassan (58 off 47 balls; ten fours and a six) managed to make a half-century for Bangladesh ‘A’.
Rishad Hossain coming to bat at number nine was the other notable run-getter, contributing 40 off 37 balls with the help of four fours and two sixes.
Shaheens achieved the target in just 27.5 overs thanks to a 129-run partnership between Haseebullah and Usman for the second wicket after Shaheens lost opener Abdul Faseeh (one) at a total of 13.
Left-handed opener Haseebullah returned unbeaten on 73 off 81 balls, smashing seven fours and two sixes. Right-handed Usman fell 13 runs short of his first List-A century. His 60-ball 87 included eight boundaries and five towering sixes.
Omair Bin Yousuf also returned unbeaten on 14 off 19, adding an unbroken 42-run partnership for the third wicket with Haseebullah.
For Bangladesh ‘A’, Mahedi Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain claimed a wicket each.
Scores in brief:
Shaheens beat Bangladesh ‘A’ by eight wickets.
BANGLADESH ‘A’ 183 in 36 overs (Saif Hassan 58, Rishad Hossain 40; Mohammad Abbas Afridi 5-38, Mehran Mumtaz 2-29, Jahandad Khan 2-51); PAKISTAN SHAHEENS 184-2 in 27.5 overs (Usman Khan 87, Haseebullah 73 not out; Mosaddek Hossain 1-15, Mahedi Hasan 1-19).
Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2024
