Within a week, tables have turned for Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali as he made an emphatic comeback with three wickets against Bangladesh. With clinical bowling performance against Bangladesh, Ali helped his side restrict Bangladesh for 127 in first innings of first T20I of three-match series at Sher-e-Bangla stadium, Dhaka. The right-arm-pacer was adjudged Man of the Match for his spell of 22 runs in four overs and picked up three wickets.
“Man of the Match award goes to fans”
Ali, who dropped Wade’s crucial catch in the 19th over of the semi-final against Australia was targeted as the main reason for Pakistan’s defeat against Australia. The dropped catch proved to be a costly error for Pakistan as the Aussie wicketkeeper-batter went on to hit three consecutive sixes to script victory for the Aussies and seal their berth in the final.
“This award is for all the fans who supported me. It will not be fair if I don’t share my ‘Man of the Match’ award with all my fans. I didn’t perform up to expectations in the T20 World Cup but it’s cricket. Sometimes you have a good series while on the other side you go through a rough patch. I am trying my best and working on the issues I had during the World Cup,” said the 27-year-old said after being adjudged ‘Man of the Match.’
Run chase made easy with cameos
Pakistan's performance in the game was good enough to secure a win by four wickets against Bangladesh with four balls to spare. Earlier Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah won the toss and decided to bat first. But Pakistan’s bowling attack consisting of Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Wasim out Bangladesh batters under pressure as they couldn’t put up a big score.
With the help of cameos from Atif Hossain (36) and Mahedi Hasan (28), Bangladesh scored only 127 runs in 20 overs after losing seven wickets. Even though Pakistan lost their captain Babar Azam early in the run chase and were reduced to 24/4 in six overs, Fakar Zaman and Khushdil Shah steadied the ship with their respective 34-run knocks. Later in the run chase, cameos from Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz laced with one four and two sixes each helped the visitors take 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
