Pakistan beat Bangladesh in first ODI

Shahid Afridi grabbed five wickets for 23 runs and then kept his cool in a batting crisis as Pakistan overcame Bangladesh by five wickets in the first one-day international in Dhaka Thursday, reports AFP.

The leg-spinner ripped through the Bangladesh line-up as the hosts were bowled out for 91 after electing to bat at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium-with seven batsmen failing to reach double figures.

Pakistan lost five wickets chasing the modest target which was eventually overhauled in the 26th over to give the tourists the lead in the three-match series.

Seamer Rubel Hossain and spinner Shakib Al Hasan claimed two wickets apiece to leave Pakistan struggling at 63-5, before Afridi took his team home with an unbeaten 24 off 23 balls.

As the runs dried up on the turning wicket, Afridi broke free with three successive fours off Shakib and then cut the same bowler for another boundary to win the game.

Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq made 16 not out, sharing a match-winning stand of 30 with Afridi.

It was Pakistan's 26th win in 27 one-dayers against Bangladesh, the lone defeat having come during the 1999 World Cup in England.

Bangladesh, who lost half the side for 31 runs on the slow wicket, were dismissed in 30.3 overs and barely managed to surpass their lowest one-day total against Pakistan of 87.

Wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed picked up four catches as the four Pakistani spinners shared eight of the 10 wickets.

Bangladesh's batting never recovered after losing opener Tamim Iqbal with the fourth ball of the innings, trapped leg-before by off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez.

Bangladesh:

Tamim Iqbal lbw b Hafeez 0

Shahriar Nafees c Malik b Afridi 7

Naeem Islam c Misbah b Gul 5

Mushfiqur Rahim c Sarfraz b Malik 11

Shakib Al Hasan c Akmal b Afridi 15

Mohammad Mahmudullah c Sarfraz b Afridi 1

Nasir Hossain c Sarfraz b Cheema 21

Farhad Reza lbw b Afridi 1

Abdur Razzak c Younis b Ajmal 3

Shafiul Islam c Sarfraz b Afridi 0

Rubel Hossain not out 15

Extras: (b2, lb2, w8) 12

Total: (all out, 30.3 overs) 91

Pakistan:

Mohammad Hafeez c Nafees b Rubel 22

Imran Farhat b Nasir 12

Younis Khan c Rahim b Shakib 2

Sarfraz Ahmed c Shakib b Rubel 2

Misbah-ul-Haq not out 16

Umar Akmal b Shakib 7

Shahid Afridi not out 24

Extras: (lb4, w4) 8

Total: (for five wickets, 

25.4 overs) 93

Result: Pakistan won by five wickets, leads 1-0 in three-match series.

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Bangladesh face Pakistan in first ODI today

Bangladesh will play Pakistan in the first match of the Cool & Cool three-match ODI series today (Thursday) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, reports UNB.

The day/night match will start at 1:30 pm. Match will be telecast live on BTV (Bangladesh), Super Sports. You can also enjoy the live action on web. Click here. 

Bangladesh will take to the field tomorrow with a very poor record againstPakistan in the limited version of cricket. The hosts have only one win against the visitors in their last 26 ODI encounters since 1986. Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 82 runs in the group match of the ICC Cricket World Cup in Northampton, England in 1999.

Pakistan played their last full three-match ODI series in Bangladesh in 2001-2002 and made a clean sweep with a 3-0 victory over Bangladesh.

In the last encounter, Pakistan crushed Bangladesh by 139 runs in the Asia Cup last year in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh earlier started their home series campaign against Pakistan with a humiliating 50-runs defeat in the only T20 match at the SBNS on Tuesday. 

Bangladesh will play the second ODI against Pakistan on December 3 at the SBNS in Dhaka and the third and last ODI on Dec 6 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong under the floodlight, before the two-match Test series that will begin in Chittagong on Dec 9.


**Now BCI fans can continue their social networking on Facebook with having live actions of Cool & Cool cup. Click here to watch.

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Pakistan beat Bangladesh in T20 clash

Resurgent Pakistan continued their winning form to defeat Bangladesh by 50 runs in the one-off Twenty20 international at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday in a low-scoring affair, reports AFP.

Misbah-ul-Haq's men, buoyant after a successful series against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates, where they won in all three formats of the game, proved their mettle once again.

The tourists, playing their 50th Twenty20 match, fought back after being restricted to 135-7 to keep Bangladesh down to 85-9 on a slow wicket that hindered stroke-making.

Mohammad Hafeez claimed 2-11 in four overs and Shoaib Malik picked up two wickets in three balls as Pakistan recorded their fifth successive Twenty20 win over Bangladesh.

The Tigers were in danger of falling below their lowest T20 total of 78 against New Zealand last year when they stumbled to 69-9 in the 17th over.

But Nasir Hossain hit a defiant unbeaten 35 with two boundaries and a six to ensure Bangladesh batted out their stipulated 20 overs.

The hosts were left to rue a lethargic batting display in which nine batsmen failed to reach double figures, while two ran themselves out.

The match was as good as over when Bangladesh lost half their side by the ninth over with the total at 23.

The batsmen undid the good work by the bowlers who kept the Pakistani batting in check after Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to take first strike.

Spinner Alok Kapali, the eighth bowler used by Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim, picked up two for 12 and former skipper Shakib Al Hasan finished with two for 24.

Hafeez top-scored for Pakistan with 25, but found little support from the other end.

The rivals begin a three-match one-day series in Dhaka on Thursday, which will be followed by two Tests.

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Mushfiq hopes to show best cricket against Pakistan

Misbah & Gul in practice session at SBNCS

Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim Monday said if they would able to play their best cricket in the series, it would not be easy for Pakistan to beat Bangladesh, reports UNB.

"They (Pakistan) are one of the best sides… no doubt that they are favourite in the series. But, it will be not easy for Pakistan to beat us easily if we play our best cricket," said Bangladesh skipper Rahim at a pre-match press conference at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) in Mirpur Monday afternoon.

He said the series against Pakistan would be very competitive if they would overcome their shortness and weakness of the team.

The diminutive wicket-keeper cum batsman Rahim said it would not be easy to get win over Pakistan, but in the shorter version cricket any team can win.

The upbeat Bangladesh skipper said it would not be impossible to beat Pakistan and they are ready to play their best cricket in this series.

The Bengal tigers made hour-long practice at the match venue prior to their only T20 match. Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal, who received leg injury during the training session in Chittagong, also made practice in the team on Monday.

Former World champions Pakistan and Bangladesh will start their campaign taking with T20 match today (Tuesday) at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city.

Pakistan Cricket team, led by Misbah-Ul Haque, arrived in the capital Saturday evening on a month-long tour to play one T20, three ODIs and two Test matches against hosts Bangladesh.
Pakistani ODI and T20 squads: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema, Mohammad Khalil, Sohail Tanvir, Abdul Razzaq and Asad Shafiq.

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Pakistan seek further success in Bangladesh

The last time Pakistan played Bangladesh was in the 2010 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka

Misbah-ul-Haq's Pakistan will look to continue their recent winning form when they open the tour of Bangladesh with a Twenty20 international in the city tomorrow (Tuesday), reports AFP.

The three-week visit, which also comprises three one-day internationals and two Tests, is Pakistan's first full tour of their South Asian rivals since 2002.

Pakistan are buoyed by their emphatic success over Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates this month, where they beat their accomplished rivals in all three formats of the game.

"This is a good period for us and I hope we will continue to win," Misbah told reporters Sunday.

"It's all about team work. The guys know what is expected of them and they work hard to fulfil their responsibilities. It's really good to have a team like this."

Pakistan have enjoyed overwhelming success over Bangladesh in the past, but Misbah cautioned his team-mates against taking the hosts lightly.

"We will have to play good cricket to beat them because Bangladesh are a strong side at home. They are sure to put up a tough fight," the Pakistan captain said.

"We have to be more consistent in our batting. There is always room to improve the fielding and we must be more disciplined in our bowling."

When Pakistan last played a Test series in Bangladesh in 2002 they won both matches by heavy margins, the first by an innings and 178 runs in Dhaka and the second by an innings and 169 runs in Chittagong.

The 1-0 loss at home to the West Indies in October was their 61st defeat in 71 Tests since they entered the big league in 2000.

Bangladesh have won just three Tests so far, while seven matches were drawn.

The hosts, now led by their gutsy wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim, will look to push Pakistan hard when the two-Test series starts on December 9.

Get the full fixture here.

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Cool & Cool to sponsor Pakistan series

Cool & Cool, a UK-based renowned maker of hygiene products, has secured the sponsorship rights of Bangladesh-Pakistan series for a whopping $2,90,000, the Bangladesh Cricket Board announced on Saturday.

Cool & Cool, which started its business in the UK in 2003, is a subsidiary of Dubai-based Shirkat Abdur Sattar Group. The company is a regular sponsor of the Pakistan cricket team.

The company has already sponsored three series involving Pakistan and has bought the rights for the upcoming series from Axiom Technologies Limited, the

successful bidder in the BCB tender.  

The part of the deal included prize money of $29,500 which is included in the agreement.

‘This is definitely going to be an exciting series,’ Manzur Ahmed, chief executive of the BCB, told reporters at a press conference on Saturday. 

‘Cool & Cool has previous experience of title-sponsoring cricket series but this is the first time they will be doing a series outside the UAE and I am sure their association with the event and Bangladesh cricket will be a successful one,’ he added.

Nasir Saeed Zuberi, regional manager, international sales & marketing of ABC International Limited, along with the high officials of the BCB and Axiom Limited attended the news conference.

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Pak cricket team arrive in city

Pakistan cricket team led by Misbah-ul Haque arrived in the city Saturday evening on a month long campaign in Bangladesh when it will play one T20, three ODIs and two Test matches, reports UNB.

Former world champions Pakistan will start with a T20 match on November 29 at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

The visitors will play the first two ODI matches on December 1 and 3 at the same venue before traveling to Chittagong on Dec 4.

Pakistan will play their 3rd and last ODI on Dec 8 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in the port city of Chittagong.

The visiting team will play the first Test match against Bangladesh December 9-13 at the same venue in Chittagong. 

Pakistan will play the 2nd and last Test against the Bengal Tigers Dec 17-21 at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. They will leave for home on December 22. 

ODI and T20 squads: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema, Mohammad Khalil, Sohail Tanvir, Abdul Razzaq and Asad Shafiq.

Reserves: Awais Zia, Raza Hasan and Yasir Shah 

Test squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Imran Farhat, Younis Khan, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Adnan Akmal (wk), Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Mohammad Talha, Aizaz Cheema and Mohammad Khalil.

Get the full fixture here.

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Ahsraful axed, Reza given recall

Mohammed Ashraful (L)          |                   Farhad Reza (R)

Mohammad Ashraful has been dropped from Bangladesh's squad for the limited-overs leg of their upcoming home series against Pakistan. All-rounder Farhad Reza, who has not played for Bangladesh since 2008, has been recalled to the squad, reports Cricinfo. 

Shuvagata Hom and Suhrawadi Shuvo also do not find places in the XV, while Elias Sunny, who took seven wickets on Test debut, has been included . Vice-captain Mahmudullah, who missed the ODI series against West Indies due to illness, returns to the squad.

Ashraful had been left out of the squad for the two home Tests against West Indies and now finds himself out of the one-day setup as well. He has been given several opportunities over the last year despite his poor form but his ODI statistics are woeful: his last ODI half-century was in January 2010, and since then he has averaged 10.11 in 18 one-day innings with a highest score of 31. Ashraful recently scored a first-class century - his first in more than a year - but it was not enough to earn him a place in the squad.

Reza is one of the players who joined the ICL in 2008 and was subsequently banned by the BCB for ten years. That ban was lifted when he, along with several other Bangladesh players, severed ties with the rebel league in 2009. He is a part of the Bangladesh A squad that is currently in the West Indies and took three wickets with his medium-pace in the second unofficial Test against West Indies A.

Bangladesh will play a one-off Twenty20 against Pakistan on November 29 followed by three ODIs.

Squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), Mahmudullah (vice-capt.), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Alok Kapali, Naeem Islam, Nasir Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Abdur Razzak, Nazmul Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Elias Sunny, Farhad Reza, Shahriar Nafees (for ODI series only).

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Bangladesh move closer to Pak tour

Bangladesh can tour Pakistan in April next year but they need security clearance from the game's governing body, a top official from Bangladesh Cricket Board told the agency Wednesday.

International cricket has been suspended in Pakistan since terrorists' attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009, which left eight people dead and seven visiting players and their assistant coach wounded.
Even before the attacks Pakistan had been a "no go" area for international teams who refused to tour the troubled country where the national army had been fighting militancy and a resurgency of Taliban activity.

Sri Lanka turned down an invitation to tour Pakistan in May this year following attacks on a military base in Karachi, forcing their hosts to shift the series to a neutral venue in the United Arab Emirates.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf Monday said he was doing his level best to bring international cricket back to Pakistan and has invited Bangladesh to tour the country.

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