Pakistan hold nerve to beat Bangladesh by 21 runs in 1st ACC 2012

  Pakistan 262 for 8 (Hafeez 89, Jamshed 54, Gul 39, Shahadat 3-53) beat Bangladesh 241 (Shakib 64, Tamim 64, Gul 3-58) by 21 runs

Gul heroics edge Shakib's in thriller

Pakistan have been restricted to 262 for 8 in the opening match of the Asia Cup by hosts Bangladesh. Shahadat Hossain and Shakib Al Hasan bowled extremely well to pull down Pakistan from a strong position of 160 for 1 to 198 for 7! Pakistan will still feel comfortable though as Bangladesh has always lacked the experience in chasing down targets of 250+.

Although they started slowly, the two Pakistani openers Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed laid a solid foundation. As the overs ticked by, the run-rate improved and both the batsmen eased past their half centuries. It was only in the 28th over that Bangladesh could find their first breakthrough when Nasir Jamshed (54 from 64 balls with 5 fours and a six) was run out at the batting end by a throw from Shakib Al Hasan to the Keeper. Jamshed was trying to steal a difficult single for his partner Hafeez with whom he put up an opening stand of 135.

Things went nicely for Pakistan until fast bowler Shahadat Hossain returned for his second spell and out of nowhere took three wickets! First he got Younis Khan (12) caught at covers when the right hander got a leading edge in an aerial flick shot in the 33rd over. Very soon, Shahadat got the well set Mohammad Hafeez (89 from 126 balls with 7 fours) caught at squareleg after tamely top edging a pull shot to an attempted bouncer. In his next over, Shahadat struck again when he induced a top edged pull from Asad Shafiq (4) which sailed into the hands of deep backward squareleg.

Shakib Al Hasan joined the party too taking two crucial wickets in the 40th over which reduced Pakistan to 193 for 6. Umar Akmal (21) caused his own downfall when he top edged a horrible slog sweep to deep squareleg. Shahid Afridi got out for a first ball duck in the same over when he patted a low return catch to Shakib which was taken brilliantly after a third attempt! The low catch had popped out of Shakib’s hands but he lobbed it up in the air and the ball flew towards Misbah-ul-Haq at the non-striker’s end to hit his chest and roll down into the bowler’s hands once again!

 The biggest blow for Pakistan came in the 42nd over when Abdur Razzak cleaned up Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (8) right through the gate with a well disguised arm ball! Pakistan at 198 for 7 recovered nicely thanks to Umar Gul’s cameo of 39 (from 25 balls with 5 fours and a six). They eventually settled to a decent looking 262 for 8. The pick of the bowlers for the hosts was Shakib Al Hasan with 2 for 41 in 10 overs.

At the End UMER GUL , Makes the Different in both Innings , First with the Bat then  With BALL.

WE HOPE THAT PAK WINS NEXT MATCHES