Pakistan rides to five-wicket win on Malik’s 58 not out

Lahore: Shoaib Malik’s comeback 58 not out set a five-wicket for Pakistan in the first of the three-T20Is against Bangladesh at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

The 37-year-old had made his way to the middle with Pakistan two down for 35 runs in five overs in their pursuit of 142.

Malik crafted crucial partnerships with debutant Ahsan Ali, who made 36 runs from 32 balls, and Iftikhar Ahmed (16 off 13) which worth 46 and 36, respectively, over the course of his 45-ball innings.

Malik smashed five fours in his seventh T20I half-century as Pakistan chased down the target with three balls spare.

Bangladesh’s right-arm pacer Shafiul Islam took two for 27, while Mustafizur Rehman, Al-Amin Hossain and Aminul Islam picked up a wicket each.

Earlier, a solid bowling performance by Pakistan, in the latter half of the Bangladesh innings, restricted the visitors to 141 for five after the opening pair of Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Naim had knitted a 71-run partnership in 11 overs.

Tamim scored 39 off 34 balls, while Naim made 43 runs out of 41 balls at the back of three fours and two sixes.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, debutant Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan picked up a wicket each.

For leading Pakistan to a victory, Shoaib Malik was declared player of the match.

The second T20I will be played tomorrow (25 January) at the same venue.

Scores in brief

Bangladesh 141-5, 20 overs (Mohammad Naim 43, Tamim Iqbal 39)

Pakistan 142-5, 19.3 overs (Shoaib Malik 58 not out, Ahsan Ali 36; Shafiul Islam 2-27)

Result Pakistan won by five wickets