T20 World Cup, PAK vs BAN: Pakistan seal semifinal berth with an emphatic win

Pakistan players celebrating a dismissal [Source: AP]

The 41st match of the ongoing T20 World Cup witnessed Pakistan annihilate Bangladesh by five wickets in Adelaide. Babar Azam and co entered the semifinal in a grand style with this clinical win. 

Shaheen Afridi masterclass restricts Bangladesh to a paltry total

After electing to bat first, Bangladesh suffered an early setback, losing in-form opener Litton Das for 10 in the third over. However, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Soumya Sarkar counterattacked to perfection, stitching a crucial 52-run stand for the second wicket. 

But, soon, Pakistan's go-to-man, Shadab Khan, weaved his magic and triggered a collapse by removing Soumya and Shakib Al Hasan in consecutive deliveries. Then, Shanto was castled by Iftikhar Ahmed after scoring a fighting 48-ball 54. 

Shaheen claimed a spectacular four-for [Source: AP]

If this was not enough, Shaheen Afridi came back to land the knockout punch, dismissing Mosaddek, Nurul Hasan and Taskin Ahmed in quick succession. However, promising batter Afif Hossain held the fort, ensuring the Tigers crossed the 125-run mark, as they finished on 127 for eight in 20 overs. 

Shaheen emerged as Pakistan's trump card with the ball, recording sensational bowling figures of four for 22 in four overs. 

Haris-Masood stand knocks Bangladesh out

Chasing 128, Pakistan were off to a steady start, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan adding 57 runs for the first wicket. Then, Nasum Ahmed drew the first blood for the Tigers, dismissing Babar for a sloth-paced 33-ball 25. Soon, Rizwan fell prey to Ebadot Hossain for a run-a-ball 32. 

Mohammad Haris played another impactful knock [Source: AP]

However, swashbuckling batter Mohammad Haris hammered a breathtaking cameo of 31 runs, getting ample support from Shan Masood ( 24* off 14) at the other end. Although Haris got out, Masood held his nerves and helped Pakistan get over the line with eleven balls to spare. 

Brief Scores

Bangladesh: 127/8 (20)
Najmul Hossain Shanto 54 (48), Afif Hossain 24 (20);
Shaheen Afridi 4/22 (4), Shadab Khan 2/30 (4)

Pakistan: 128/5 (18.1)
Mohammad Rizwan 32 (32), Mohammad Haris 31 (18);
Nasum Ahmed 1/14 (4), Mustafizur Rahman 1/21 (4)

Pakistan won by five wickets. 

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