Lahore: Shoaib Malik’s great comeback innings steal victory for Pakistanagainst Bangladesh.A listless performance by Bangladesh made it easy forPakistan to march to victory on the back of a Shoaib Malik 50 in the firstT20 on Friday.Pakistan, chasing 142 for the win, reached the finbish line with threeballs yet to be bowled.
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first on a flat wicket that wasreminiscent of UAE pitches, ending at 141-5 at the end of their 20 overs.
Openers Mohammad Naim and Tamim Iqbal put up an impressive performance,scoring 43 off 41 and 39 off 34 respectively.
Pakistan, battling to retain their number one rank on the InternationalCricket Council ratings, reached the target comfortably with Shoaib Malikscoring 58 off 45 balls and picking up the man of the match trophy alongthe way.
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The hosts, with six consecutive losses behind them, must win the coming twomatches to retain their number one slot in the shortest format of the game.
The remaining two matches of the series are to be played on Saturday andMonday at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
