Opener Tamim Iqbal’s second century ina row helped Bangladesh clinch their maiden ODI series beating Pakistan by 7 wickets in their 2nd match of the three-match Dan Cake ODI cricket series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium here on Sunday.
This is the first-ever series win against Pakistan for Bangladesh featuring third win in their 34th ODI meetings, spurred by Tamim-Mushfiqur’s 118 runs in 22.1 overs in the third wicket stand.
Earlier in the first match on Friday, the pair contributed the Bangladesh’s highest-ever partnership of 187, also in the third wicket stand at the same venue.Tamim-Mushfiqur pair departed at Bangladesh’s 218 runs for three in 36.2 overs as the Test Captain Mushfiqur was caught by Fawead Alam off a Rahat Ali delivery scoring 65 off 70 balls with 8 fours and one six.
On his way to sixth ODI century, Tamim roared with style to hit unbeaten 116 featuring 17 fours and one six, and was adjudged man of the match.
Bangladesh reached the winning target scoring 240 runs for 3 in 38.1 overs.
Earlier, the Tigers faced early jolt losing Soumya Sarkar was caught by Sarfraz Ahmed off a Junaid Khan delivery at 22 in 2.5 overs.
In the batting power play, Bangladesh scored 81 runs for 1, in the meantime Tamim Iqbal reached the half-century mark with quick firing 51 runs off 31 balls that included mesmerising 12 fours while World Cup hero Mahmudullah was at 14 runs off 21 balls with two fours.
Tamim-Mahmudullah pair contributed 78 in 11.2 overs in the second wicket stand to reduce the early damage before Mahmudullah was bowled out by Saeed Ajmal at team’s 100 for 2 in 14.1 overs.
In their innings, favoured by coin Pakistan batted first and posted the target for Bangladesh for the cost of 6 wickets in 50 overs, riding on an unbeaten seventh wicket stand of 85 runs in 11 overs between Saad Nasim and Wahab Riaz.
On their way to piling up highest-ever partnership of 85 runs against Bangladesh, Saad Nasim scored team highest 77 runs off 96 balls with six fours and one six while Wahab Riaz hit 51 runs off 40 balls including five fours and two sixes.
After losing 5 wickets for 77 runs in 21.3 overs, Saad Nasim-Haris Sohail pair stayed well for the side playing a painstaking innings of 77 runs in 17.3 overs, in the sixth wicket stand, to carry the team total to 154 for 6 in 39 overs before number four Sohail was caught and bowled by Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.
Haris Sohail scored 44 runs off 61 balls with one four and one six.
Earlier, World Cup hero for pace bowling Rubel Hossain made breakthrough in the Pakistan’s batting castle taking opening batsman Sarfraz Ahmed (7 off 11b) who was caught by Soumya Sarkar at team’s 36 in 7.1 overs.
Number three Mohammad Hafeez was sent back to the pavilion for duck as Arafat Sunny, pulled 3/47 in the first ODI for the Tigers, bowled him out at 37 for 2 in 9 overs. In the first batting power play the visitor managed to score 37 for 2 wickets.
Pakistan new ODI captain-cum-opener Azhar Ali was caught by Bangladesh Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim off a Shakib Al Hasan bowling. In the meantime, Azhar managed to score 36 runs off 60 balls with five fours while Pakistan was at 58 in 15.3 overs.
Then, Nasir Hossain raised the wicket tally for Bangladesh bowling number five Fawad Alam out for duck while scoreboard showing 59 for 4 in 16.5 overs.
World best all-rounder in the all formats Shakib Al Hasan hunted his second wicket trapping Mohammad Rizwan (13 off 22b, 2X4) lbw at 77 for 5 in 21.3 overs.
Pakistan reached the 100-run mark at the cost of 5 wickets in 29 overs, with a single by number seven Saad Nasim off a Arafat Sunny delivery, while Saad Nasim and Haris Sohail were on batting. – UNB
