DARWIN: Half-centuries from Abdul Samad, Khawaja Moha­mmad Nafay and Yasir Khan followed by a combined seven wickets from the spinners powered Pakistan Shaheens to a resounding 79-run win over Bangladesh ‘A’ in the opening match of the Top End T20 Series at the TIO Stadium in Darwin on Thursday.

After opting to bat first, Shaheens posted a formidable 227 for four in 20 overs.

Openers Khawaja Nafay (61 off 31 balls) and Yasir Khan (62 off 40) provided a blazing 118-run stand in just 11.1 overs. Abdul Samad then played an unbeaten knock of 56 off 27 balls as he added 36 runs for the fourth wicket with captain Mohammad Irfan Khan (25 off 12) to take the total beyond 200.

In reply, Bangladesh ‘A’ made a brisk start despite losing their first wicket in the opening over, reaching 92 for one in seven overs.

Left-arm spinner Maaz Sadaqat struck a decisive blow in the eighth over, removing opener Jishan Alam (33 off 17) to breaking an 86-run second-wicket stand.

From there, Shaheens’ spinners took control. Faisal Akram (3-19) and Saad Masood (3-30) led the charge while fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jr took 2-24 to dismiss Bangladesh ‘A’ for 148 in 16.5 overs.

Yasir Khan was named man-of-the-match.

Shaheens now take on the Scorchers in their next fixture on Saturday at the same venue.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan Shaheens beat Bangladesh ‘A’ by 79 runs.

PAKISTAN SHAHEENS 227-4 in 20 overs (Yasir Khan 62, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay 61, Abdul Samad 56 not out, Mohammad Irfan Khan 25); BANGLADESH ‘A’ 148 all out in 16.5 overs (Mohammad Saif Hassan 57, Jishan Alam 33; Faisal Akram 3-19, Saad Masood 3-30, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 2-24).

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2025