Right-arm fast bowler Mohammad Abbas Afridi’s impressive five-wicket haul, along with half-centuries from Haseebullah and Usman Khan, powered Pakistan Shaheens to a commanding eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh ‘A’ in the first one-day match at the Islamabad Club on Monday.
Opting to field first, Pakistan Shaheens bowled out the visitors for 183 runs in 36 overs. Abbas Afridi was the standout performer, claiming 5 wickets for 38 runs in his 9-over spell—his second five-wicket haul in 22 List-A matches. Left-arm pacer Jahandad Khan (2-51) and left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz (2-29) provided strong support, while Saif Hassan was the only Bangladesh ‘A’ batsman to make a significant contribution with 58 runs off 47 balls. Rishad Hossain added 40 runs off 37 balls lower down the order.
In response, Pakistan Shaheens comfortably chased down the target in just 27.5 overs, thanks to a 129-run partnership for the second wicket between Haseebullah and Usman Khan. Left-handed opener Haseebullah remained unbeaten on 73 from 81 balls, striking seven fours and two sixes. Usman Khan fell just 13 runs short of his maiden List-A century, scoring 87 runs off 60 balls, including eight boundaries and five sixes. Omair Bin Yousuf chipped in with an unbeaten 14, adding an unbroken 42-run stand with Haseebullah for the third wicket.
For Bangladesh ‘A’, Mahedi Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain each took a wicket. Mohammad Abbas Afridi was named Player of the Match.
Scores in Brief:
- Bangladesh ‘A’: 183 all out in 36 overs (Saif Hassan 58, Rishad Hossain 40; Mohammad Abbas Afridi 5-38, Mehran Mumtaz 2-29, Jahandad Khan 2-51).
- Pakistan Shaheens: 184-2 in 27.5 overs (Usman Khan 87, Haseebullah 73*; Mosaddek Hossain 1-15, Mahedi Hasan 1-19).
