ICC T20 World Cup, Highlights: Pakistan Begin Campaign in Style, Thrash Bangladesh by 55 Runs
A clinical performance from Pakistan, in particular from their skipper Shahid Afridi, allowed Pakistan to register a thumping win over Bangladesh in their opening World Twenty20 encounter. Relive all the moments here.
Fifties from Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez gave Pakistan a solid platform. Shahid Afridi came in and blasted a 19-ball 49 to help Pakistan to their highest score in the Twenty20 World Cup. Mohammad Amir was once again wonderful with the ball while Afridi chipped in with two wickets as well. Pakistan's 55-run win over Bangladesh will give them immense confidence heading into their crunch game against India on March 19. Relive all the moments here. ( SCORECARD | POINTS TABLE | NEWS | VIDEOS | WHERE TO SEE LIVE STREAMING?)
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19:00 hrs IST: That is all that we have from Kolkata. The next match is between West Indies and England in Mumbai. Clash of the 2010 champions and the 2012 champions.
18:55 hrs IST: Mashrafe Mortaza: After six overs it became almost impossible. Shakib batted really well and we got 150, so not so bad. Looking ahead, we need to bowl better and make more use of the first six overs with the bat
Shahid Afridi (Man of the Match): My performance always plays a key role but I haven't done well recently. It's a big event and I should take responsibility as captain and senior player.
18:45 hrs IST: Pakistan open their campaign in style. They defeat Bangladesh by 55 runs and their performance today is an indication that they are back to their volatile best in a major tournament.
18:34 hrs IST: Mashrafe Mortaza gets going with a six and a four. Bangladesh will be hoping to reduce their margin of defeat in order to not fall behind in the net run-rate.
18:29 hrs IST: WICKET! Short ball from Irfan and Mithun Ali guides it straight to Amir at third man. The umpire has a look and Irfan is extremely tight on the no-ball. His foot seems to be on the line but he is given. Mithun Ali c Amir b Irfan 2 (4), Bangladesh 117/6 (18.4 overs).
18:24 hrs IST: WICKET! Amir gets his second. Rahim top-edges the slow, short delivery and the keeper takes the catch. Bangladesh 110/5, Rahim c Sarfraz b Amir 18 (21).
18:16 hrs IST: It looks like a lost cause for Bangladesh. Shahid Afridi's double-strikes really pegged them back after his 19-ball blitz. Today, was a redemption of Afridi in Kolkata after a fair bit of controversy.
18:10 hrs IST: The asking rate has jumped to 18. This has been a wonderful effort from Pakistan. Shakib is hanging in there. However, they will need a 25-plus over.
18:02 hrs IST: Shakib is holding fort for Bangladesh but the asking rate has touched 16. All they can do is try and get close to the Pakistan score to save their net run-rate.
17:55 hrs IST: WICKET! Poor shot from Mahmudullah. He top edges the slog sweep and Sharjeel at deep backward square leg runs in and dives forward to take the catch. Imad Wasim gets his first wicket. Mahmudullah c Sharjeel b Imad 4 (5).
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17:51 hrs IST: With the wicket of Tamim, Afridi now has 37 wickets in Twenty20 World Cups, one less than Lasith Malinga's 38.
17:48 hrs IST: WICKET! Afridi strikes again. Flighted delivery on leg stump, Tamim mistimes the slog sweep and he holes out to Imad Wasim at deep mid wicket. Bangladesh 58/3 (8 overs) vs Pakistan (201/5), need 144 from 72 balls
17:45 hrs IST: Shakib Al Hasan goes to 1000 runs in Twenty20 internationals. Wonderful achievement. He became the second B'desh player to complete 1000 runs in T20Is and 26th overall. Last match against Oman, Tamim had got to his 1000th run.
17:44 hrs IST: Close call! Shakib wanted a single as he taps it to point, he slips as he turns back as he loses his shoe, however, the fielder also slips and a run-out opportunity is wasted.
17:41 hrs IST: Tamim launches Malik straight down the ground for another six. 11 runs given away in his first over.
17:37 hrs IST: WICKET! It does not matter. Sabbir goes on the back foot but Afridi bowls a quicker ball that skids on, Sabbir goes for the cut but misses it and the leg stump is knocked out. Sabbir Rahman b Afridi 25 (19), Bangladesh 44/2 in 5.5 overs.
17:34 hrs IST: Poor start for Afridi. He drags his first delivery short and Tamim pulls it to deep mid wicket for a six.
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17:32 hrs IST: Sabbir is batting confidently but Tamim is struggling to find the gaps. Bangladesh are 33/1 after five overs, chasing 202 for a win.
17:28 hrs IST: Wahab Riaz comes into the attack. The trial by pace for Bangladesh continues.
17:23 hrs IST: Amir and Irfan have kept things steady and are not giving anything away. The pressure is mounting on Bangladesh.
17:16 hrs IST: Sabbir flicks Mohammad Irfan for yet another boundary. Both Tamim and Sabbir are aiming to be aggressive.
17:11 hrs IST: Sabbir gets off the mark as he steers a slightly wide ball to square third man. The pace of Amir is enough to take it to the boundary.
17:06 hrs IST: WICKET! Brilliant from Amir. He beats Sarkar with his raw pace. Full ball angled in on off stump, over 140 kmph, Sarkar is stuck on the crease and he misses it completely, the ball hits middle and off stump. Sarkar b Amir 0 (2), Bangladesh 1/1.
17:04 hrs IST: Out come Soumya Sarkar and Tamim Iqbal. Tamim will be fresh from his century against Oman and he will be looking to continue his great form.
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16:49 hrs IST: Pakistan end on 201/5 and it will be a massive challenge for Bangladesh. Shahid Afridi has shown glimpses of his form.
16:46 hrs IST: WICKET! No fifty for Afridi. He flicks a full ball to deep mid wicket and he finds Mahmudullah. He departs for a magnificent 49 off 19 balls.
16:40 hrs IST: Afridi nears a milestone and Shoaib Malik smashes two fours off Taskin. Pakistan are nearing 200 while Afridi continues to punish him.
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16:35 hrs IST: WICKET! Full ball from Taskin and Umar Akmal looks to loft it over mid-off, he mistimes it and he holes out to Shakib. Umar Akmal c Shakib b Taskin 0 (2), Pakistan 175/4 (17.5 overs)
16:33 hrs IST: Afridi blasts an inside-out six off Taskin but the next ball, he refuses to take the single! Surprising, considering that Umar Akmal is the leading run-getter in Twenty20 internationals for Pakistan.
16:28 hrs IST: WICKET! Brilliant catch from Soumya Sarkar. That has to be the catch of the 2016 World Twenty20. Hafeez slog sweeps Sujnnt to long on, Sarkar moves to his left and leaps to hold on to the catch, he knows that the momentum is carrying him over the ropes, he throws the ball in the air as he leaps past the boundary ropes, he comes back in and takes the catch with both hands, outstanding control from Sarkar. Hafeez c Sarkar b Sunny 64 (42). Pakistan 163/3 (16.4 overs) vs Bangladesh.
16:24 hrs IST: Another 18-run over and Afridi is punishing Bangladesh. He smashes two fours and a six as Pakistan pummel Bangladesh at the death.
16:18 hrs IST: Things go from bad to worse for Mortaza. He concedes a six to Afridi and what is worse, it is a no-ball. However, he escapes with a wide ball but the skipper concedes 18 runs in his third over. His overall figures read 3-0-41-0.
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16:15 hrs IST: Shahid Afridi has promoted himself up the order and he gets going in cracking style. He pulls a short ball from Mortaza to long leg and he paddles him to fine leg for another boundary. Meanwhile, Hafeez has notched up his ninth fifty off 36 balls.
16:13 hrs IST: WICKET! Sabbir Rahman breaks the 95-run stand. Shehzad hangs back and pulls a short ball from Sabbir to long on, but he mistimes it and he finds Mahmudullah. Shehzad c Mahmudullah b Sabbir Rahman 52 (39).
16:09 hrs IST: The stage is all set for the final assault. Shehzad and Hafeez are looking good and Bangladesh might soon be staring at a big total.
16:04 hrs IST: Shehzad notches up his fifth fifty off 35 balls. He has made an emphatic statement after he was initially dropped from the Pakistan squad for the World Twenty20.
16:01 hrs IST: Pakistan have brought up the 100 in the 12th over. Things not looking good for Bangladesh.
15:57 hrs IST: Shakib concedes nine runs in his third over. His figures so far are 3-0-26-0.
15:54 hrs IST: Hafeez and Shehzad are coming close to their fifties. Bangladesh are running out of ideas.
15:48 hrs IST: Bangladesh are struggling to break this stand. Pakistan are aiming for a huge total and there is immense pressure on Mortaza's men.
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15:45 hrs IST: Bangladesh's skipper, Mashrafe Mortaza, is into the attack but both Hafeez and Shehzad continue to bat well. The skipper concedes 12 runs in his first over and Pakistan have moved to 77/1 after eight overs. The fifty-run partnership is up between these two.
15:42 hrs IST: Hafeez continues to use his feet against the spinners. Arafat Sunny floats a flighted delivery on middle, Hafeez dances down the track and makes room to loft it over long on.
15:35 hrs IST: Shakib concedes 11 runs in his first over. However, in the last ball of the sixth over, there is a slight hesitation between Hafeez and Shehzad. The fielder has a shy at the striker's end but Shehzad makes it. Rahim has suffered a slight injury on his right toe after the batsman's bat his toe after he put in the dive. Pakistan 55/1 in six overs.
15:33 hrs IST: Third umpire called for a stumping! Hafeez was slightly unbalanced as he missed the flick, Mushfiqur Rahim whips the bails off in a flash but Hafeez's back foot was firmly behind the crease. He survives.
15:29 hrs IST: Pakistan have moved to 44/1 after five overs. This is a good start. Shakib Al Hasan into the attack.
15:27 hrs IST: Another close call! This time it is Shehzad. Hafeez nudges a flatter delivery to square leg and sets off for a single, the fielder's throw is slightly off-target and Shehzad makes it with the dive. Had the throw being a bit more accurate, he would have been in trouble.
15:24 hrs IST: Close call for Hafeez! He punches a length ball to mid off and he sets off for a quick single, the fielder scores a direct hit at the bowler's end but the right-hander makes it with the dive.
15:21 hrs IST: Fantastic shot from Shehzad. Taskin strays onto the pads and the batsman flicks it to deep mid wicket.
15:20 hrs IST: Hafeez jumps down the track and gets off the mark in style by smashing Sunny over long on for a six.
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15:18 hrs IST: WICKET! Poor shot from Sharjeel Khan! He dances down the track but gets cramped for room, he looks to run it down to third man but misses it and the ball knocks out the off stump. Pakistan 26/1 (2.3 ov), Sharjeel Khan 18 (10).
15:14 hrs IST: WHACK! Expensive over from Al-Amin. Sharjeel launches it over mid-off for a boundary. 18 runs in the over. Pakistan 25/0 after 2 overs.
15:10 hrs IST: Sharjeel is going after Al-Amin. Another full ball and the left-hander thumps it straight down the ground for another six.
15:08 hrs IST: Al-Amin Hossain will open the bowling from the other end. He starts off poorly. Short ball on leg stump, Sharjeel swivels and pulls it to long leg for a six.
15:06 hrs IST: Wonderful shot from Ahmed Shehzad and he gets off the mark in style. Slightly full from Taskin, Shehzad caresses the drive to deep extra cover for a boundary.
15:03 hrs IST: In the air but safe! Taskin bangs a short delivery and Sharjeel goes for the pull, it hurries on to the batsman and he top edges the shot, Tamim Iqbal misjudges it at mid on and the ball goes over him. Lucky escape.
15:00 hrs IST: Taskin Ahmed will open the bowling. He has been reported for a suspect action but he will play until the results are out. Sharjeel Khan and Ahmed Shehzad are out in the middle.
14:57 hrs IST: The Bangladesh and Pakistan national anthems are being played out at Eden Gardens. There is a fair bit of support for Bangladesh and there are some Pakistan fans present.
14:46 hrs IST: Ahmed Shehzad, who was dropped from the Pakistan squad before the World Twenty20, was picked after Pakistan's dismal Asia Cup campaign. He will be hoping to make an impact in this match.
14:36 hrs IST: Here are the playing XIs of both the teams
Pakistan (Playing XI): Ahmed Shehzad, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed(w), Shahid Afridi(c), Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan
Bangladesh (Playing XI): Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Mashrafe Mortaza, Arafat Sunny, Taskin Ahmed, Al-Amin Hossain
14:33 hrs IST: Pakistan have won the toss and have chosen to bat. For Bangladesh, Arafat Sunny comes in. No Mustafizur Rahman. So, he has still not recovered from his side strain.
14:31 hrs IST: Bangladesh will be eyeing a hat-trick of Twenty20 wins against Pakistan. However, they will be facing an uphill task, with Mustafizur Rahman in doubt.
14:30 hrs IST: A warm welcome to the first match of the first double-header of the ICC World Twenty20. It is Pakistan vs Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens followed by the clash of the 2010 champions England against the 2012 champions West Indies later.
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Pakistan and Bangladesh have had contrasting build-ups to their first match in the T20 World Cup. While Bangladesh have played continuously since the Asia Cup final against India in Mirpur on March 6, Pakistan were mostly confined to the nets.
Pakistan have lost their last two T20 internationals against Bangladesh. The Asia Cup defeat was the latest. Given Pakistan's potential and ability, they can stun the best teams in the world on their day. And Bangladesh are aware. On paper, Shahid Afridi's team will be favourites, no matter what the odds say.
Kolkata is a happy hunting ground for Pakistan. Afridi may not get crowd support in spite of his 'India love' comment. Given the fact that Kolkata's next game will be the India versus Pakistan blockbuster on Saturday (March 19), Eden will surely back Bangladesh.
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Bangladesh have been a revelation in T20 cricket. Tamim Iqbal's century against Oman has been a solid boost. Shakib Al Hasan's improving form will only add to the positive vibes in the dressing room.
Playing at Eden is a dream come true for international cricketers. Mashrafe Mortaza will be leading a Bangladesh team for the first time in Kolkata since 1990. Can Bangladesh make it a hattrick of wins against former champions Pakistan?