Iqbal celebrates after scoring his sixth ODI century
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal scored his second successive century to not only lead his side to a seven-wicket win over Pakistan in Mirpur, but also hand them an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Iqbal was well supported by wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, who made 65.
However, Pakistan batsman Saad Nasim and pace bowler Wahab Riaz both deserve some credit as they scored half-centuries.
Pakistan captain Azhar Ali would have been regretting his decision to bat first after his side were reduced to 77/5 in the 22nd over.
Nasim and Haris Sohail stemmed the bleeding with a 77-run partnership before Sohail was caught and bowled by Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza for 44.
Nasim and Riaz amassed an unbeaten 85-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, to carry Pakistan to 239/6 off their 50 overs.
Nasim made a gutsy 77
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Nasim finished on a career-best 77, which came off 96 balls and included six boundaries and a six, while Riaz remained undefeated on 51 off 40 deliveries, which included five boundaries and two sixes.
Riaz scored a valiant 51
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Shakib Al Hasan was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Mortaza, Arafat Sunny, Rubel Hossain and Nasir Hossain chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing 240 to win, Bangladesh got off to a poor start as opener Soumya Sarkar was caught behind off the bowling of Junaid Khan for 17.
Iqbal and Mahmudullah made up for the early loss of Sarkar with a 78-run partnership, during which Iqbal registered his half-century, before Mahmudullah was clean bowled by Saeed Ajmal for 17.
Iqbal and Rahim kept the runs flowing with a 118-run partnership, during which Iqbal recorded his sixth ODI century and Rahim his half-century, before Rahim was caught by Fawad Alam at point off the bowling of Rahat Ali.
Rahim’s excellent knock of 65 came off 70 balls and included eight boundaries and a six.
Rahim hit eight boundaries and a six during his knock of 65
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Iqbal and Al Hasan mopped up the remaining runs to lead Bangladesh to victory with 71 balls to spare.
Iqbal ended up making 116 not out, which came off 116 balls and included 17 boundaries and a six.
Khan, Ajmal and Ali claimed one wicket each.
Azhar Ali was disgusted with his side’s performance, and said: “I think we did not bat well in the first half. 240 was not good enough. Saad Nasim and Wahab Riaz helped us come back, but it was not enough. We are rebuilding. We will learn from this. The boys will bounce back. We have been struck by injuries and a few seniors have retired. We have to trust the youngsters. They will definitely come good.”
Mortaza was ecstatic to have taken a 2-0 lead, and said: “The boys are very happy. The job is not done yet, we have one more game to go. Shakib did well in the first match. This match was almost a perfect one. Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim have been brilliant.”
Iqbal was named Man of the Match, and said: “I was not in the best of form before the series. But all came good. I am very happy now. I was under pressure in the first game. I just enjoyed myself and played my shots today.”