Pakistan chase 342 against Bangladesh after Ashraf blitz

BIRMINGHAM: Young Faheem Ashraf smashed 64 off 30 balls to snatch a likely win from Bangladesh to script a two-wicket win for Pakistan in 12-a-side warm-up game at Edgbaston ahead of the formal commencement of ICC Champions Trophy.

Faheem, along with Hassan Ali, added an unbeaten 93 for the 9th wicket as Pakistan fought back from 249/8 to 342/8 in 39 deliveries.

Faheem smashed six shots for maximum and four strokes to the boundary as Pakistan reached the target with three balls remaining. Hassan Ali scored 27 off 15.

Pakistan looked struggling against Bangladeshi bowling line as most of the batsmen could not play big shots, despite short boundary. 

Only Shoaib Malik looked comfortable and scored 72 off 66, smashing six boundaries and two sixes. Hafeez fell one run short of fifty, Imad Wasim scored 45 while Ahmad Shahzad could score 44.

Earlier, riding on a brilliant century by opener Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh posted 341 for 9 in allocated 50 overs after winning the toss.

Tamim, taking advantage of a 40-yard short boundary on one side, smashed four shots for maximum and stroked nine boundaries to score 102 off 93 deliveries.

Imrul Kayes joined Tamim for 142 runs partnership for the second wicket with 61 off 62 deliveries. His innings included eight boundaries.

Pakistan’s fast bowler Junaid Khan got four wickets, conceding 73 runs while Hassan Ali and Shadab Khan picked two wickets apiece.