Pakistan v Bangladesh World T20: Five Talking Points of the match

Pakistan began their World T20 campaign with a resounding 55-run win over Asian rivals Bangladesh in the Group stage of the World T20 at the Eden Gardens. Batting first on a good wicket, Pakistan got off to a flier. However, apart from all the eye-catching strokes, all eyes were focused on Shahid Afridi. The Pakistan skipper promoted himself up the order in a bid to re-find his form. The small yet spirited gathering finally had something to cheer about as Afridi smashed the ball to all parts. Chasing a mammoth total of 202 seemed to over-awe Bangladesh as they quickly capitulated to the variety of pace and spin of the Pakistani bowling attack. Unfortunately, none of the batsmen got away as the Pakistani innings capitulated, giving Pakistan the much-deserved win.

1. Sharjeel and Shehzad get Pakistan off to a flier

Pakistan’s newest opening batsmen combination saw Sharjeel Khan and Mohammad Shehzad walk out to the middle to do battle with the Bangladeshi bowlers. Sharjeel slipped into the mood rather seamlessly as he began striking the ball with a definitive intention. Ahmed Shehzad, now restored to the squad, repaid the selectors faith with a wonderfully compiled 52. Despite Sharjeel Khan losing his wicket early on in the innings, Ahmed Shehzad continued on his merry way en route to his half-century.

2. Mohammad Hafeez slams half century

Not many would have expected the knock Mohammad Hafeez played against Bangladesh. Playing with unbelievable temperament, Hafeez underlined the importance of taking calculated risks. Apart from putting the odd ball to the boundary, Hafeez exhibited exemplary class by rotating the strike with Ahmed Shehzad. His 42 ball 64 included 2 sixes and 7 fours.

3. Shahid Afridi’s blitzkrieg

The first sign of shock the Pakistani fans expressed was when Shahid Afridi made his way out to bat at no.4. With the fans not expecting too much from Afridi, he certainly exceeded expectations by a country mile. Afridi rolled back the years, smashing the ball to all parts of the Eden Gardens. The ball flew a long way away from Afridi’s bat. He rolled back the years smashing sixes and fours at will with 4 fours and sixes apiece. He concluded his innings with a 19 ball 49, missing a well deserved half century by a whisker.

4. Pakistan bowlers keep it tight

The Pakistan bowling attack took the attack to Bangladesh as they have done time and again over the years. Mohammad Amir struck first by removing Soumya Sarkar. Shahid Afridi once again impressed one and all with an impressive performance with the ball, removing Sabbir Rahman and Tamim Iqbal in quick succession. Mohammad Irfan and Imad Wasim picked up a wicket a piece as the Pakistani bowlers did the job that was expected of them.

5. Bangladeshi batting collapse

In spite of the good bowling from Pakistan, Bangladesh’s unprecedented batting collapse saw them concede the game early on in the match. Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah and Mohammad Mithun failed to make a mark as they didn’t trouble the scorers. Tamim Iqbal’s form deserted him at the last moment as Shakib al Hasan was perhaps the only batsman who waged a lone battle. Sabbir Rahman chipped in with a useful 25.