Asia Cup: Pakistan survive Afghanistan shock

KABUL in their Asia Cup match in Dhaka on Thursday.

Unbeaten century by Umar Akmal helped Pakistan post 248-8 batting first against Afghanistan, the first-timers in the tournament.

In trouble in the early stages, Pakistan slipped to 117-6 before Akmal’s 102 from 89 balls steered them to safety.

Afghan bowlers restricted the Pakistani batsmen to just 39 runs from the first 10 overs. Sharjeel Khan made 25 runs before sweeping a Hamza Hotak delivery straight to Noor Ali at mid-wicket.

Nabi caught Mohammad Hafeez for 10 off the bowling of Mirwais Ashraf as Pakistan laboured at 80-2 after 20 overs.

First Ahmed Shehzad fell two balls after making his fifty from a Samiullah Shinwari delivery and then captain Misbahul Haq was run out without facing a ball.

Shinwari dropped Akmal off the bowling of Shapoor Zadran on 28 before Akmal and Anwar Ali put on 60 together and then Umar Gul helped push the score beyond 200 with 15 off 12 balls.

Mohammad Shahzad hit the first ball for four, as Afghanistan set the tone for a brisk start — a run a ball before Shahzad (9) fell.

Nawroz Mangal and Asghar Stanikzai put on 74 for the third wicket but it had been slow going with just five boundaries in 18 overs.  Stanikzai scored 40 before caught by Hafeez off the bowling of Afridi.

Tentative running led Mangal to being run out, leaving Afghanistan 140-4 and needing nine an over off the last 12.

ma

Visits: 0