Iqbal hit 15 boundaries and three sixes during his innings of 132
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal scored 132 and wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim made 106 to not only help their side demolish Pakistan by 79 runs, but also beat them in an ODI for the first time since the 1999 World Cup.
However, Pakistan captain Azhar Ali, all-rounder Haris Sohail and debutant Mohammad Rizwan all deserve some credit as each one of them scored half-centuries.
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan would have been content with his decision to bat first despite losing Soumya Sarkar for 20 and Mahmudullah for only five runs.
Iqbal and Rahim stabilised the innings with a 178-run partnership, during which Iqbal brought up his fifth ODI century and Rahim his half-century, before Iqbal was caught by debutant Saad Nasim off the bowling of Wahab Riaz.
Iqbal’s magnificent knock of 132 came off 135 balls and included 15 boundaries and three sixes.
Rahim and Al Hasan kept the runs flowing with a 50-run partnership, during which Rahim registered his third ODI century, before he was caught behind off the bowling of Riaz.
Rahim’s brilliant innings of 106 came off 77 deliveries and included 13 boundaries and two sixes.
Rahim was named Man of the Match for his knock of 106
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Sabbir Rahman made a quickfire 15 before he was clean bowled by Riaz.
Riaz struck again just two balls later when he trapped Al Hasan lbw for 31.
Thanks to Iqbal and Rahim, Bangladesh finished on 329/6 off their 50 overs, which is their highest ODI score in history.
Riaz was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Rahat Ali chipped in with one.
Chasing 330 to win, Pakistan got off to a good start as Ali and Sarfraz Ahmed amassed a 53-run partnership before Ahmed was caught by Nasir Hossain at deep backward square leg off the bowling of Arafat Sunny for 24.
Mohammad Hafeez only made four runs before he was run out by Sarkar.
Ali and Sohail steadied the innings with an 89-run partnership, during which Ali recorded his half-century, before he was caught behind off the bowling of Taskin Ahmed.
Ali’s excellent knock of 72 came off 73 balls and included seven boundaries.
Ali made a gutsy 72
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Following Ali’s dismissal, Pakistan’s middle and lower order completely collapsed as they went from 148/3 to to being bowled out for 250.
Ahmed and Sunny snapped up three wickets apiece, while Al Hasan and Rubel Hossain claimed one wicket each.
Ali was disappointed to have lost, and said: “We made some mistakes in the field and dropped some catches at the wrong time and the credit goes to the Bangladesh batsmen. They got 30-40 runs extra. Rizwan batted well, we had a few positives. We will fix the mistakes and come strong in the next game.”
Al Hasan was delighted to have taken a 1-0 lead, and said: “Tamim and Mushfiq batted really well, it was a good pitch to bat on. It was easy for us as a bowling unit. We just wanted to contain. It was a professional performance. This gives us the belief to win the series Thanks to the crowd for the support. I would want them to support us even when we don’t perform well.”
Rahim was named Man of the Match, and said: “I think Tamim should have got this. No, I won’t share the award with Tamim, hopefully he gets it next time. I dedicate the award to my wife. The preparation was good.”