Pakistan hold off Tigers

Openers lay platform for victory with superb opening stand of 142

Last updated: 2nd May 2010  

Pakistan hold off Tigers

Akmal: 73 from 55 balls

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Pakistan began the defence of their ICC World Twenty20 crown with a 21-run victory over Group A rivals Bangladesh in St Lucia.

Openers Kamran Akmal and Salman Butt both struck 73 and shared a 142-run stand that was the bedrock of Pakistan's 172 for three.

Although they managed to peg back their opponents in the closing overs, the Tigers still found the target too big an ask at the Beausejour Stadium.

Mohammad Ashraful made 63 and skipper Shakib Al Hasan contributed 47 but Bangladesh ended up well short - meaning they must now beat Australia on Wednesday to have a chance of reaching the Super Eights.

Superb stand

Their hopes of an early upset in the tournament were dashed by a superb partnership by Pakistan's opening pair.

The duo justified skipper Shahid Afridi's decision to bat first after winning the toss by sharing a 95-ball alliance that raised hopes of a total up around 200.

Shakib eventually made the breakthrough with a full toss, Akmal - who hit one six and eight fours - only managing a miscue that went straight to Abdur Razzak at point.

Afridi's decision to come in at three failed to pay off as he fell to the same bowler for nine, while Butt's 46-ball innings came to an end in the pentultimate over when he was bowled trying a reverse sweep against Shafiul Islam.

Bangladesh's chase suffered a disastrous start when Imrul Kayes fell for a duck in the opening over, top-edging Mohammad Aamer to short third-man.

His opening partner Tamim Iqbal made 19 before offering a return catch to off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez, leaving the score at 31 for two in the sixth over.

Tigers alive

Ashraful and Shakib kept the Tigers alive though, putting on 91 runs for the third wicket that included taking 17 off one over from Hafeez.

With his spinners struggling, Afridi - who conceded 37 in his four-over spell - turned back to his pacemen to make sure of the victory.

Mohammad Sami proved the pick of the bowlers, removing the dangerous Shakib and Mahmudullah in the same over before getting Mushifuqur Rahim caught in the deep to finish with figures of three for 29.

When Aamer had Ashraful caught behind Bangladesh knew their chance had gone. Mashrafe Mortaza was stumped off the bowling of Saeed Ajmal before the innings came to an end at 151 for seven.