JUNAID STRIKES AFTER MUSHFIQUR’S HEROICS
Junaid Khan demolished top and lower order batsmen to restrict Bangladesh to 239 runs in the Asia Cup 2018 ‘semifinal’ match at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
The left-hand pacer, who replaced Mohammad Amir, finished with four wickets for just 19 runs and his fiery spell infused much-needed confidence into Pakistan.
Bangladesh failed to even consume their quota of overs. Things could have been worse for them without the 144-run fourth-wicket partnership between Mushfiqur Rahim (99) and Mohammad Mithun (60). Coming together at 12 runs with three batsmen down, the pair handled pressure well and rescued Bangladesh.
Bangladesh, after opting to bat, had lost three wickets in consecutive overs. And it was all the reinforcements which had failed to stand up. Bangladesh’s inevitable shift at the top – Soumya Sarkar in for Nazmul Hossain Shanto – was undone by a zipper from Junaid and returned without earning any run. Thereby, once again Bangladesh had failed to conjure an opening partnership worth mentioning.
Another Bangladesh change was Mominul Haque stepping in for an injured Shakib Al Hasan. But Shaheen Shah Afridi cut short Mominul’s stay to just four balls with a delivery that nipped back and bludgeon the timber.
Junaid had measured out Liton Das in the opening over and bagged his wicket with a well-angled, almost unplayable, delivery.
Bangladesh were down but dependable pair of Mithun and Mushfiqur curtailed further damage. The duo reacted to the situation well, applied themselves and flourished. They saw off Shaheen and Junaid, scored from loose balls from Hasan Ali, and spinners Mohammad Nawaz, Shoaib Malik and Shadad Khan. They were ready to play the waiting game and kept rotating strike.
Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed persisted with Nawaz, Shoaib and Shadad, which helped the Bangladeshi duo, resurrect the innings. It was only after the partnership had hit a 100-run stand that pacers were pressed back into attack. Finally, Hasan broke the partnership with Mithun’s scalp.
Bangladesh were at 156 runs then but Imrul Kayes couldn’t continue in same vein and was trapped by Shadad. Mushfiqur carried on finding boundaries in timely fashion. But on 99 runs, the keeper-batsman perished while trying to drive Shaheen. Junaid then returned to claim Mehidy Miraz.
Mohammad Mahmudullah with Mashrafe Mortaza struck some lusty blows to push the scoring. The innings, though, ended in a whimper with Rubel Hossain and Mortaza getting out in succession. Pakistan bowlers had started and ended the innings on a high.