Pakistan defeat UAE by seven wickets in Asia Cup – Malik smashes unbeaten 63; Amir, Irfan, Sami trigger UAE’s collapse

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Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Irfan (second right), celebrates with his teammates after the dismissal of the United Arab Emirates cricketer Mohammad Shahzad during the Asia Cup T20 cricket tournament match between Pakistan and United Arab Emirates at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Feb 29. (AFP)
Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Irfan (second right), celebrates with his teammates after the dismissal of the United Arab Emirates cricketer Mohammad Shahzad during the Asia Cup T20 cricket tournament match between Pakistan and United Arab Emirates at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Feb 29. (AFP)

DHAKA, Bangladesh, Feb 29, (Agencies): Shoaib Malik smashed 63 not out as Pakistan survived an early stumble in its run chase to beat United Arab Emirates by seven wickets in the Asia Cup on Monday.

UAE made 129-6 in its 20 overs after opting to bat first before Pakistan reached the winning total with 131-3 in 18.4 overs.

Malik was aided by Umar Akmal, who hit an unbeaten 50. The duo combined for a T20 record fourth-wicket partnership of 114 after Pakistan was reduced to 17-3. The previous record was held by Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan who shared an unbeaten 112 for England against Pakistan in 2010.

UAE medium-fast bowler Amjad Javed claimed 3-36 after scoring a fluent 27 not out to pace the UAE innings.

Swinging the ball at considerable pace against the over-casual Pakistan top order, Javed struck twice in his first over — dismissing Sharjeel Khan (4) and Khurram Manzoor (0). He then raised the prospect of an upset victory by removing Mohammad Hafeez for 11 in his next over.

Malik, aided by Akmal, steered the side through a torrid period, playing sensible shots.

The outcome could have been different had Usman Mushtaq not dropped Malik off Mohammad Shahzad when he was on 41. Malik then smacked a consecutive four and six to reach his fifth T20 half-century.

Malik clobbered seven fours and three sixes in his 63 runs off 49 balls, while Umar Akmal had two fours and hit three sixes in the 46 balls he faced during his 8th T20 half century.

Earlier, Shaiman Anwar steadied the UAE innings after it was reduced to 12-3. All three Pakistani pacers — Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Sami — shared the wickets in triggering UAE’s collapse. Anwar hit five fours and two sixes in his 42-ball 46. Amir finished with 2-6 and Irfan 2-30.

Bangladesh on Monday called up opening batsman Tamim Iqbal for the remaining part of the Asia Cup as a replacement for pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who was ruled out with injury.

Team physio Bayjedul Islam said Mustafizur complained of discomfort after Sunday’s match against Sri Lanka and an MRI scan and a report from the radiologist confirmed a strain on a right rib.

“He is under conservative treatment and rest for next 48 hours. Following that the rehab will begin,” Islam said in statement. “We are expecting that he will make a quick recovery and resume bowling soon.”

Mustafizur played a key role in Bangladesh’s 23-run win over Sri Lanka with four tight overs for just 19 runs. He also took the vital wicket of all-rounder Thisara Perera.

Tamim, who is a regular member of the side, was allowed to skip the Asia Cup to be with his wife, who gave birth to a baby boy in Bangkok on Sunday.

Tamim returned home on Monday and joined the training camp.

Bangladesh will face Pakistan in their last league match of the tournament on Wednesday.

The hosts, who have four points from three matches, will qualify for the March 6 final if they can beat Pakistan in the last match.

Scoreboard

DHAKA, Feb 29, (AFP): Scoreboard of the Asia Cup Twenty20 match between Pakistan and the UAE at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Monday:

UAE

Rohan Mustafa c Afridi b Sami……………… 1

Muhammad Kaleem b Amir………………… 1

Mohammad Shahzad c Sarfraz b Irfan………. 5

Shaiman Anwar c Sarfraz b Irfan…………… 46

Usman Mushtaq c Nawaz b Afridi…………… 9

Mohammad Usman b Amir………………… 21

Amjad Javed not out……………………… 27

Mohammad Naveed not out……………….. 10

Extras (lb 2 w7)……………………………. 9

Total (six wickets; 20 overs )…………….. 129

Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Rohan) 2-5 (Kaleem), 3-12 (Shahzad), 4-41 (Mushtaq), 5-72 (Shaiman), 6-118 (Usman)

Did not bat: Swapnil Patil, Fahad Tariq, Ahmed Raza

Bowling: Amir 4-1-6-2, Sami 4-0-28-1 (w2), Irfan 4-0-30-2 (w1), Afridi 4-0-24-1 (w3), Nawaz 3-0-26-0 (w1), Malik 1-0-13-0

PAKISTAN

Mohammad Hafeez c Fahad b Amjad……… 11

Sharjeel Khan lbw b Amjad………………… 4

Khurram Manzoor c Patil b Amjad………….. 0

Umar Akmal not out………………………. 50

Shoaib Malik not out……………………… 63

Extras (w3)………………………………… 3

Total ( three wickets; 18.4 overs) 131

Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Sharjeel) 2-11 (Khurram), 3-17 (Hafeez)

Did not bat: Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan

Bowling: Naveed 3.4-0-28-0 (w1), Amjad 4-0-36-3(w2) Shahzad 4-0-19-0, Raza 3-0-20-0, Rohan 3-0-20-0, Fahad 1-0-8-0

Result: Pakistan won by seven wickets

Toss: UAE

Umpires: Enamul Haque (BAN) and Ruchira Palliyaguruge (SRI)

TV umpire: Anil Chaudhary (IND)

Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZ)

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