Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in a Super 4 match of the Asia Cup here on Wednesday.
Asked to bowl, Pakistan shot out Bangladesh for a paltry 193 and then overwhelmed the target in 38.4 overs.
Opting to bat, Bangladesh batters struggled against the Pakistan bowlers but half-centuries from Mushfiqur Rahim (64) and skipper Shakib Al Hasan (53) provided them some respite.
Haris Rauf (4/19) and Naseem Shah (3/34) were the main wicket takers for Pakistan.
Chasing a small target, Imam-ul-Haq`s 78 and Mohammad Rizwan`s unbeaten 63 helped Pakistan romp home in 39.3 overs.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 193 all out in 38.4 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 64, Shakib Al Hasan 53; Haris Rauf 4/19, Naseem Shah 3/34).
Pakistan: 194 for 3 in 39.3 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 78, Mohammad Rizwan 63 not out; Taskin Ahmed 1/32).
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on Wednesday hailed his team`s pace bowling unit, saying the fast bowlers would boost the side`s confidence ahead of its Super Sunday clash against arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup Super 4 stage in Colombo.
A four-pronged Pakistan pace bowler was brilliantly led by Harish Rauf (4/19) and Naseem Shah (3/34) as they snared nine wickets between them to skittle out Bangladesh for a meagre 193 in 39.4 overs.
In response, Pakistan cantered home by seven wickets with 63 balls to spare to start off their Super 4 campaign on a rousing note.
"Credit to all the boys, especially the first 10 overs, first Shaheen and then Rauf... This win will give us confidence, we are always ready for a big match. We will give our 100 per cent in the next match," Azam said at the post-match presentation.
Asked whether the team is feeling any pressure, Azam said: "I don`t think so. We are just giving our best in every match."
Azam, who retained the same playing XI in the group league matches against Nepal and India, recalled pace bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf who bagged the prized-scalp of Bangladesh skipper Shakib-Al-Hasan (53).
Bangladesh’s next clash is against Sri Lanka on September 9 and Pakistan’s against India in the Super 4 stage on the following day, both matches will be held in Colombo.
