• Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan record dominating win over Bangladesh in opening Super 4 match

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    Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan record dominating win over Bangladesh in opening Super 4 match
    Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan each scored excellent fifties to lead Pakistan to an easy victory in their effort to advance to the tournament's final.

    Digital Desk: In the opening Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match, played on September 6 at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh with a dominating seven-wicket. Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan each scored excellent fifties to lead Pakistan to an easy victory in their effort to advance to the tournament's final. Pakistan's in-form pace attack once again shone to bowl out Bangladesh on just 193 runs while bowling first.

    When Bangladesh won the toss, Shakib Al Hasan made one change to his team, bringing Litton Das, a star hitter, to the starting lineup in place of the injured Najmul Shanto.

    However, Shakib's choice to take the bat first quickly backfired as Pakistani pacers once more dominated the powerplay overs. With a 100-run partnership for the fifth wicket, Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim attempted to battle, with both seniors collecting fifty runs.

    But Harif Rauf continued his hot streak in ODIs with another superb performance. He got four wickets while allowing just 19 runs to be scored, and Naseem Shah took three to keep their adversaries' total under 200. Mushfiqur led the way with 64 runs, and Shakib followed with 53 runs off 57 balls.

    I-mam-ul-Haq's composed knock kept Pakistan on course for victory despite the fact that they lost Fakhar Zaman in the 10th over with just 35 runs on the board while chasing an easy target.

    The next batsman, Rizwan, produced an 85-run stand with Imam-ul-Haq for the third wicket after Babar failed on 17 runs. Pakistan easily won thanks to Imam-ul-Haq's high score of 78 runs off 84 balls and Rizwan's undefeated 63 runs off 79 balls, which helped Pakistan secure a comfortable victory.

    On September 9, Bangladesh will play in a game that they must win against Sri Lanka in Colombo, and on September 10, Pakistan, who is now on a roll, will play the tournament's front-runners, India.