Liton, Shakib set the standard as Bangladesh post 173 against Pakistan

 Sports Desk //

Despite the openers providing a shaky start yet again, Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan stepped up for Bangladesh to post an impressive total against Pakistan at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch today.

Bangladesh posted 173 for six after 20 overs, courtesy of a 55-ball 80-run stand between Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan, who both quick-fired their way to 65-plus knocks.

With Bangladesh already eliminated from the tri-nation series, this game is more than a dead rubber for the Tigers since they are still searching for their best possible combinations and tactical clarity in the format — with the T20 World Cup fast approaching.

Bangladesh featured yet another new opening pair, this time Nazmul Hossain Shanto pairing with Soumya Sarkar, who started well with a chip over cover that resulted in three runs. However, his partner Shanto was consuming deliveries one after another and had scored just one run in the first nine deliveries he faced. Bangladesh were seven for no loss after two overs and, with pressure building fast, Soumya was dismissed (4) soon as he tried to play a lofted shot to a Naseem Shah delivery over mid-on.

It took as many as 19 deliveries for Bangladesh to get going in their innings, courtesy of birthday boy Liton striking consecutive boundaries off Mohammad Wasim in the beginning of the fourth over.

Liton’s urgency apparently rubbed off on Shanto and he too hit a couple of boundaries before departing. Shanto’s 15-ball 12 ended as the batter got a nick from an attempted scoop over fine leg, resulting in Naseem scalping his second wicket.

Bangladesh batters targeted Mohammad Hasnain in the innings’ sixth over — which saw three boundaries, including one from Shanto — and ended Powerplay on 41 for two.

In-form Shakib joined Liton — who recovered well from a cramp he suffered in the fourth over — and the Bangladesh captain struck consecutive boundaries, including a six, off Mohammad Nawaz’s first over.

And after facing 30 deliveries, Liton brought up his seventh fifty of his T20I career as he took a single off Shadab Khan. Liton eventually got out after a 42-ball 69, laced with six fours and two maximums, but by that time the platform for the late onslaught had been set with the Bangladesh captain at the crease in sublime form.

From then on, Shakib kept striking a boundary or two every over and brought up his back-to-back fifty off 34 deliveries along the way until Shadab dismissed him in the 19th over. Shakib featured seven fours and three sixes in his 42-ball 68.