Shaheens earn comprehensive win in opening one-dayer

ISLAMABAD: Mohammad Abbas Afridi’s fiery spell backed by half centuries by Usman Khan (87) and Haseebullah (73 not out) dismantled Bangladesh A as Shaheens earned a comprehensive win in the opening one-dayer at the Islamabad Club Ground Monday.

The win gives Shaheens’ a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second match will be played at the same venue tomorrow (Wednesday). After opting to field, Shaheens bundled out the visiting team for 183 runs in 36 overs. Abbas was the pick of the bowlers, with match figures of 9-0-38-5. This was Abbas’ second five-for in 22 List-A matches.

Left-arm pacer Jahandad Khan (2-51) and left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz (2-29) equally supported Abbas as only Saif Hassan (58) managed to score a half-century for Bangladesh ‘A’.

Rishad Hossain coming to bat at No 9 was the other notable run-getter, scoring 40 off 37 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes. In return, Shaheens achieved the target in 27.5 overs courtesy of 129-run partnership between Haseebullah and Usman for the second wicket. Left-handed opening batter Haseebullah returned undefeated on 73 off 81 balls, smashing seven fours and two sixes.

Right-handed batter Usman fell 13 runs short of his first List-A century. His innings included eight boundaries and five towering sixes, which came off 60 balls. Omair Bin Yousuf also returned unbeaten on 14 off 19, adding an unbroken 42-run partnership for the third wicket with Haseebullah.

For Bangladesh A, Mahedi Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain snapped a wicket each. Scores in brief: Pakistan Shaheens beat Bangladesh ‘A’ by eight wickets: Bangladesh A 183 all out, 36 overs (Saif Hassan 58, Rishad Hossain 40; Mohammad Abbas Afridi 5-38, Mehran Mumtaz 2-29, Jahandad Khan 2-51). Pakistan Shaheens 184-2, 27.5 overs (Usman Khan 87, Haseebullah 73 not out; Mosaddek Hossain 1-15, Mahedi Hasan 1-19). Player of the match: Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Shaheens).