Bangladesh Expose Pakistan's Inexperience; Azhar Ali Laments Shoddy Show, Shakib Lauds Tamim

Pakistan began life without Shahid Afridi and Misbah-ul-Haq on a disastrous note as Bangladesh handed the former world champions a sound 79-run beating in the first ODI in Mirpur (Dhaka) on Friday. For new Pakistan captain Azhar Ali, this was truly a baptism of fire as some shoddy cricket added to his team's woes.

Twin tons from Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim saw Bangladesh record their first victory over Pakistan since 1999. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed and spinner Arafat Sunny claimed three wickets each as Pakistan were shot out for 250 runs in 45.2 overs to give Bangladesh the lead in the three-match series. The second match will be played on Sunday.

Tamim and Mushfiqur ruined off-spinner Saeed Ajmal's comeback to international cricket after an absence of eight months due to an illegal bowling action. Ajmal conceded 74 runs in 10 wicketless overs with his remodelled action to finish with his worst one-day bowling figures.

The match marked the start of a new era for Pakistan cricket following the one-day retirement of skipper Misbah and senior all-rounder Afridi after the World Cup. The current team comprised just four players who took part in the World Cup, giving Azhar a relatively inexperienced bunch of tourists.

"The Bangladesh team has been playing the same unit for the last four or five years," Azhar said. "In the years gone by, we always have the experience to go through difficult periods. But today we have some new guys. They are trying to make inroads. We lack a bit of experience in the team.

"Whenever you make runs and you don't win its not pleasing. We wanted to make runs, we also want that team to win. I think the score was a bit more, especially because we have a new batting line-up. So 230 to 240 runs was too many. It is difficult to chase 300 every day. I think the guys tried their best but we fell a little bit short."

Azhar felt that Pakistan's fielding too had cost them the game. Saad Nasim dropped Tamim off his own bowling when the batsman was on 47, while Junaid Khan dropped Mushfiqur at mid-on when he was on 35.

Both batsmen went on to score hundreds, the first time in Bangladesh's ODI history that two batsmen made centuries in the same game. Pakistan subsequently conceded 55 in the batting powerplay, and 93 in the last 10 overs.

"I think especially when in the field we dropped few catches in the wrong stage. Some of the bowling wasn't up to the mark, up to our standards. The way we bowled in the death overs and powerplay weren't up to it. We will definitely try and fix it in the next game."

"It was a real professional performance by the team," said Shakib Al Hasan, who led Bangladesh in the absence of Mashrafe Mortaza, who served a one-match ban for slow over-rates during the World Cup.

"It was a good pitch to bat on and Tamim and Mushfiq batted really well. After that we just wanted to contain their batsmen and I think our bowling unit rose to the occasion," added Shakib.

"It was an extraordinary innings (from Tamim)," Shakib said. "To be honest, he was under some pressure but his batting didn't show any nerve. It is definitely one of his best innings. The way him and Mushfiqur batted, it was the turning point in the game. I think Tamim played the way he usually plays."

Azhar is not willing to let his guard down. He led Pakistan's batting charge with 72 off 73 runs after the first two wickets had fallen for 59 runs.

"But there were some positives for us too. I thought Rizwan batted soundly in his first match. We will rectify our mistakes and come back strongly in the next game," said Azhar.