Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 21 runs in the T20I tri-series opener

HIGHLIGHTS

• Rizwan smashed a 50-ball 78 for Pakistan.
• Bangladesh were bowled out for 146 in 20 overs.
• On Saturday, Pakistan will play New Zealand.

Pakistan won the first match against Bangladesh in the T20I tri-series opener by 21 runs.

Pakistan began their tri-series in New Zealand with a convincing win over Bangladesh in Christchurch on Friday, October 7. Mohammad Rizwan shone, as usual, hitting a 50-ball 78, his 6th fifty-plus score in his last 8 innings in the T20I format of the game.

Rizwan, the No.1 batter in the T20I, continued his rich vein of form with an unbeaten 78 off 50 balls and guided Pakistan to set a reasonable target to chase. Rizwan batted through the innings in cold, difficult conditions at Hagley Oval, tallying seven fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 78.

It was the opening match of a week-long T20I tournament, which includes host New Zealand.

Bangladesh won the toss and chose to field on the Hagley Oval’s good batting pitch. On the other hand, Rizwan and captain Babar Azam gave Pakistan a strong start, hitting 52 in 7.1 overs for the first wicket. Babar was undone by off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 22 after looking scratchy. Rizwan and Shaan Masood, on the other hand, put on a 42-run stand for the third wicket.

Masood took his time getting going, but he finished with a six and four boundaries for a 22-ball 31.

Bangladesh’s chase was thwarted after Liton Das (35) and Afif Hossain (25) put on a slick 50-ball partnership for the third wicket.

Yasir Ali’s (42 not out) late hitting restored respectability, while speedster Mohammad Wasim (3-24) had late success with the yorker.

Both teams’ players frequently slipped on a surface made hard by unusual weather earlier in the week. On Thursday morning, a cold blast caused ground staff to sweep snow from the covers and outfield.

Temperatures had risen to a relatively warm 12 degrees Celsius (54 degrees Fahrenheit) for the start of the match.

New Zealand will play against Pakistan on Saturday and Bangladesh on Sunday at the same venue.