World T20: Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 50 runs

Dhaka, March 30 (IANS) Pakistan kept their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals alive with a convincing 50-run win over Bangladesh in a Group 2 encounter of the World Twenty20 here Sunday.

Ahmed Shehzad’s unbeaten 111 off 62 balls propelled Pakistan to 190 for five in 20 overs.

Spinner Abdur Razzak was the only bowler to shackle the Pakistani batsmen. He picked up two wickets and gave away just 20 runs in his four overs.

In reply, Bangladesh never got going and lost wickets at regular intervals, finally stuttering to 140 for seven in 20 overs.

Umar Gul was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers taking three wickets while wily spinner Saeed Ajmal chipped in with two.

The win gave Pakistan two crucial points and took their tally to four, tied with the West Indies.

Both teams have won two matches and lost one but the West Indies are in second position in the group behind India thanks to a better run-rate than Pakistan.

Australia and Bangladesh are yet to open their account and are in fourth and fifth place respectively.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad 111 not out, Shoaib Malik 26; Abdur Razzak 2-20, Shakib Al Hasan 1-21.

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan 38, Nasir Hossain 23; Umar Gul 3-30, Saeed Ajmal 2-20.