In a clinical display of pace bowling and solid batting, Pakistan Shaheens secured an emphatic eight-wicket win over Bangladesh ‘A’ in their 50-over match at the DXC Arena in Darwin. The Shaheens chased down a modest target of 79 runs with ease, completing the victory in just 17 overs.
After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Pakistan Shaheens’ pacers unleashed a ferocious attack on Bangladesh ‘A’. Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Imran Jnr led the charge, dismantling the opposition’s top order within the powerplay. Khurram struck first, removing Tanzid Hasan and Akbar Ali, while Imran Jnr ripped through the middle order, claiming three crucial wickets, including the dangerous Parvez Hossain and Afif Hossain.
The pace duo left Bangladesh ‘A’ reeling at 32-5 in just under 10 overs, setting the tone for a dominant bowling performance. Despite a brief resistance from Mahfuzur Rahman and Shamim Hossain, Bangladesh ‘A’ could not recover from the early blows and were eventually bowled out for a paltry 78 in 24.3 overs. Imran Jnr finished with impressive figures of 3-22, while Khurram, Jahandad Khan, and Mubasir Khan each contributed with two wickets apiece. Arafat Minhas also chipped in with a wicket, sealing Bangladesh’s fate.
Chasing a low target, Pakistan Shaheens encountered a minor setback when Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for a duck by Ripon Mondol in the second over. However, Usman Khan stabilized the innings with a composed knock, anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 39 off 45 balls, which included five boundaries and a six.
Usman formed a crucial 48-run partnership with Faseeh for the second wicket and later an unbroken 27-run stand with Tayyab Tahir, who remained not out on 17. The duo’s calm approach ensured that Pakistan Shaheens crossed the finish line without further hiccups, securing an eight-wicket victory with 33 overs to spare.
This dominant win serves as a morale booster for Pakistan Shaheens as they head into the Top End T20 series, where they will face the Perth Scorchers in their first match on August 10. The Shaheens will be eager to carry forward the momentum from this victory and make a strong statement in the T20 format.
Match Summary
- Bangladesh ‘A’: 78 all out in 24.3 overs (Parvez Hossain 19, Shamim Hossain 13; Mohammad Imran Jnr 3-22, Mubasir Khan 2-9, Jahandad Khan 2-19, Khurram Shahzad 2-24, Arafat Minhas 1-3)
- Pakistan Shaheens: 79-2 in 17 overs (Usman Khan 39 not out, Tayyab Tahir 17 not out; Ripon Mondol 2-30)
Pakistan Shaheens showcased their prowess with both bat and ball, overwhelming Bangladesh ‘A’ with a commanding performance. The team’s strong start in Darwin sets a promising tone for the upcoming Top End T20 series, where they will look to build on this success and continue their winning streak. The pace attack’s early breakthroughs and Usman Khan’s steady hand in the chase were the highlights of a match that Pakistan Shaheens controlled from start to finish
