Pakistan Shaheens kicked off their Top End T20 Series campaign in style, securing a commanding 79-run win over Bangladesh ‘A’ at the TIO Stadium in Darwin on Thursday evening.
Opting to bat first, the Shaheens piled up a daunting 227 for four in 20 overs. Openers Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (61 off 31 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes) and Yasir Khan (62 off 40 balls, 7 fours, 2 sixes) set the tone with a rapid 118-run stand in just 11.1 overs. Abdul Samad then hammered an unbeaten 56 from 27 balls, smashing five sixes, while skipper Muhammad Irfan Khan added a quickfire 25 off 12 balls to push the total past 200.
Bangladesh ‘A’ started aggressively in their chase, reaching 92 for one in seven overs. However, left-arm spinner Maaz Sadaqat turned the tide by dismissing opener Jishan Alam (33) in the eighth over, breaking a dangerous second-wicket stand.
From there, Shaheens’ spin attack took full control. Faisal Akram (3-19) and Saad Masood (3-30) ripped through the middle order, with Mohammad Wasim Jnr contributing 2-24 to bowl Bangladesh ‘A’ out for 148 in 16.5 overs.
The Shaheens will face the Scorchers in their next match on Saturday, 16 August, at the same venue, with the first ball set for 4pm local time.
