Asked to bowl, Pakistan shot out Bangladesh for a paltry 193 and then overwhelmed the target in 38.4 overs in hand.

Opting to bat, Bangladesh batters struggled against the Pakistan bowlers but half-centuries from Mushfiqur Rahim (64) and skipper Shakib Al Hasan (53) provided them some respite.

Haris Rauf (4/19) and Naseem Shah (3/34) were the main wicket takers for Pakistan.

Chasing a small target, Imam-ul-Haq’s 78 and Mohammad Rizwan’s unbeaten 63 helped Pakistan romp home in 39.3 overs.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 193 all out in 38.4 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 64, Shakib Al Hasan 53; Haris Rauf 4/19, Naseem Shah 3/34).

Pakistan: 194 for 3 in 39.3 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 78, Mohammad Rizwan 63 not out; Taskin Ahmed 1/32).

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on Wednesday hailed his team’s pace bowling unit, saying the fast bowlers would boost the side’s confidence ahead of its Super Sunday clash against arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup Super 4 stage in Colombo.

A four-pronged Pakistan pace battery was brilliantly led by Harish Rauf (4/19) and Naseem Shah (3/34) as they snared nine wickets between them to skittle out Bangladesh for a meagre 193 in 39.4 overs.

In response, Pakistan cantered home by seven wickets with 63 balls to spare to start off their Super 4 campaign on a rousing note.

“Credit to all the boys, especially the first 10 overs, first Shaheen and then Rauf… This win will give us confidence, we are always ready for a big match. We will give our 100 per cent in the next match,” Azam said at the post-match presentation.

Asked whether the team is feeling any pressure, Azam said: “I don’t think so. We are just giving our best in every match.”

Pakistan’s next clash is against India in the Super 4 stage in Colombo on Sunday.

Azam, who retained the same playing XI in the group league matches against Nepal and India, recalled pace bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf who bagged the prized-scalp of Bangladesh skipper Shakib-Al-Hasan (53).

Updated: 06 Sep 2023, 10:07 PM IST