Malik, Akmal guide Pak to first win

Duo posts unbeaten fifties as former champs overcome UAE

 Pakistan coasted to a seven-wicket victory over United Arab Emirates (UAE) but not before being thoroughly tested in their second match of the Asia Cup T20 tournament here at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium on Monday.

Chasing UAE’s 129 for six in 20 overs, Pakistan faced the fear of an upset following captain Amjad Javed’s three-wicket burst that left them reeling at 17 for three in their four overs.

However, unbeaten half centuries from Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal restored the order and Pakistan reached the finish line with eight balls to spare.

Earlier, the UAE batting clicked for the first time in the tournament and rode on Shaiman Anwar’s 42-ball 46.

Javed (3/36) returned with the ball to scythe the Pakistan top order with his spirited three-wicket burst before Malik (63 n.o.) and Akmal (50 n.o.) stemmed the rot.

Tall and quick, Javed extracted good bounce from the surface. He hit the right length and occasionally got the ball to swing in.

He shocked Pakistan in his very first over. Sharjeel Khan was trapped leg before and a ball later, Khurram Manzoor was on his way back after he tried to cut the ball seaming away but managed only an edge which was comfortably gobbled by wicket-keeper Swapnil Patil.

Javed, in his next over, accounted for Mohammad Hafeez. Hafeez went for an expansive drive with the ball swinging in and his shot landed at the hands of Fahad Tariq at short cover.

With the Pakistan top order back in the dent, there was incredulity all around but for the experienced right-handed duo of Malik and Akmal who forged an alliance of 114 runs.

Impressive

Earlier, pacer Mohammad Aamir continued to be impressive. His first spell of two overs read 2-1-1-1 before wrapping up his quota of four overs with 4-1-6-2. It was among the most economical full spells of T20 cricket.

The UAE top order floundered to be 12 for three in four overs but Anwar stepped up the ante.  The 36-year-old made best use of the batting conditions against the reputed pace battery of Pakistan. Mohammad Irfan ended his entertaining innings when he edged him to be caught behind.

Javed and Usman then didn’t let the momentum slip as UAE gathered 89 runs in the last 10 overs.

score board

UAE
Mustafa c Afridi b Sami    1
(5b)
Kaleem b Aamir    1
(11b)
Shahzad c Ahmed b Irfan    5
(3b,1x4)
Anwar c Ahmed b Irfan    46
(42b, 5x4, 2x6)
Mushtaq c Nawaz b Afridi    9
(19b, 1x4)
Usman b Aamir    21
(17b, 2x4, 1x6)
Javed (not out)    27
(18b, 3x4, 2x6)
Naveed (not out)    10
(5b, 1x4, 1x6)
Extras (LB-2, W-7)    9
Total (for 6 wkts; 20 overs)    129.
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-5, 3-12, 4-41, 5-72, 6-118.
Bowling: Aamir 4-1-6-2, Sami 4-0-28-1, Irfan 4-0-30-2, Afridi 4-0-24-1, Nawaz 3-0-26-0, Malik 1-0-13-0.  
PAKISTAN
Hafeez c Tariq b Javed    11
(12b, 2x4)
Sharjeel lbw Javed    4
(3b, 1x4)
Manzoor c Patil b Javed    0
(2b)
Akmal (not out)    50
(46b, 2x4, 3x6)
Malik(not out)    63
(49b, 7x4, 3x6)
Extras (W-3)    3
Total (for 3 wkts, 18.4 overs)    131
Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-11, 3-17
Bowling: Naveed 3.4-0-28-0, Javed 4-0-36-3, Shahzad 4-0-19-0, Raza 3-0-20-0, Mustafa 3-0-20-0, Tariq 1-0-8-0.