‘Sunday ko dekhte hai’ – Fans react as Pakistan defeat Bangladesh by seven wickets in first Super 4 match of Asia Cup 2023

The biggest extravaganza of the Asian cricket, Asia Cup 2023 have started entering into the business end with the Super 4 matches having kicked off with two times Asia Cup champions taking on the Bangladesh team in Gaddafi Stadium at Lahore. Both the teams were looking to start the next stage of the Asia Cup with a win but the Pakistan team stamped their authority against Bangladesh with a comprehensive seven wickets win with 63 deliveries remaining.

Earlier, Bangladesh skipper, Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to bat first on a pitch which has suited the batting. In the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan’s fast bowlers continued their dominant performance by decimating Bangladesh in their first Super Four clash. They had previously displayed their prowess against Nepal and India. Bangladesh struggled early in their innings, with key batters like Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, and Mohammad Naim departing cheaply.

However, skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim’s 100-run partnership provided some recovery, but the lower-order couldn’t capitalize. Bangladesh posted 193 runs. Pakistan’s Haris Rauf secured four wickets, while Naseem Shah claimed three, making a strong comeback after initial fitness concerns. Rauf’s form bolsters Pakistan’s bowling lineup. Also, the star performer for the Bangladesh team with the bat was skipper Shakib with 53 runs off 57 deliveries followed by their star wicketkeeper batter, Mushfiqur Rahim who scored 64 runs off 87 deliveries with the help of five boundaries.

Pakistan will next face India on September 10

In reply to the modest total, the Pakistan team made a cautious start but lost Fakhar Zaman (20) to a beautiful inswinger from Shoriful Islam. Soon, skipper Babar Azam (17) also followed the hut when the right-hand batter was played on to a fuller delivery from Taskin Ahmed. The hosts were left reeling at one stage with 74/2 in 16^th over desperately needing a partnership. But then Mohammad Rizwan combined with opener Iman-Ul-Haq to stitch a partnership of 85 runs for the third wicket. The duo started cautiously but once got their eyes on both the batters took the attack to the Bangladesh bowler who never seemed to have answers for the onslaught.

Against the run of play, the southpaw Imam was bowled trying to slog sweep off the bowling of Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a score of 78 runs off 84 deliveries with five boundaries and four humongous sixes. But after the dismissal of his partner, Rizwan made sure that the Pakistan team chased down the total without any further hiccups. Over with this win Pakistan took two crucial points and are placed at the top of the table.

With this match, the Pakistan leg of the Asia Cup also comes to an end as the rest of the Asia Cup matches will now be played in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Next up the Pakistan team will be playing the seven-time Asia Cup champions on September 10.

Let us now look at how Twitter has reacted to this thumping win from the Pakistan cricket team: