Pakistan crush Bangladesh by 139 runs

Published Mon, Jun 21 10 10:53 PM

Joseph Hoover Dambulla, June 21 (PTI) Captain Shahid Afridi smashed a blistering 60-ball 124, his second century in the tournament, to steer Pakistan to a resounding 139run win over Bangladesh in an inconsequential Asia Cup cricket match here tonight. Powered by Afridi''s blitzkrieg and useful half-centuries from Imran Farhat (66), Shahzaib Hasan (50) and Umar Akmal (50), Pakistan made an intimidating 385 for seven, their highest score in ODIs, after electing to bat. The target being too huge for them, Bangladesh settled for batting practice, making a listless 246 from their 50 overs at the Rangiri International stadium. Juanid Siddique, who fell three runs short of his maiden hundred, and Imrul Kayes raised 160 runs for the second wicket, batting as if they were in a Test-match situation. Even the 100-odd spectators who had come to watch the inconsequential tie left the stands when the duo was at the square. The time spent at the wicket would have certainly pumped up their confidence, but their dour display was not a good advertisement for the 50-over format, which has already lost its appeal. Siddique struck six fours and two sixes during his 144-ball essay while Kayes, who took 24 balls to get off the mark, consumed 110 balls for his 66. For Pakistan, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Afridi and Imran Farhat took a wicket each. Both sides have crashed out of the tournament while India and Sri Lanka will play in the final on June 24. Earlier, Afridi, who was involved in a 137-run association for the fifth wicket with Umar Akmal (50), struck 17 fours and four sixes to help Pakistan raise a record total. Pakistan''s highest total in one-day international cricket was also the highest at this venue, bettering Sri Lanka''s 312 for four against Bangladesh last week. Building on the sizzling 81-run start provided by Shahzaib Hasan (50) and Imran Farhat (66), Afridi initially played himself in before unleashing an array of strokes which drove the Bangladesh attack to despair. He was merciless at the square, driving, cutting and pulling with panache. Left-arm spinner Adbur Razzak was the lone Bangladesh bowler to command respect from the 30-year-old who carted the rest of the attack to all parts of the park during his imperious essay. Afridi cleared the ropes with effortless ease while racing to his sixth ODI hundred in just 54 balls, the sixth fastest in history. He also holds the record for fastest ODI hundred, made in 37 balls against Sri Lanka at Nairobi.

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