New Zealand T20I Tri Series, Match 1 Review: Mohammad Rizwan’s rich form continues as Pakistan clinch series opener against Bangladesh

Pakistan started with a comprehensive victory over Bangladesh side in the Tri Series opener in New Zealand as preparations for the T20 World Cup 2022 get intense. The bowling unit of Pakistan looked quite formidable and it ensured that the Bangladesh batters never got going in the run chase at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.   

Earlier in the game, Bangladesh opted to bowl first after winning the toss and Pakistan openers yet again stitched a 50-run partnership for the first wicket. Skipper Babar was slightly lower on the strike rate and was dismissed after a 25-ball 22. Rizwan kept the scoreboard ticking with the odd boundaries while Shan Masood came out with a positive intent. The left-hander played a timely inning of 22-ball 31 to get the scoring rate up for Pakistan.  

However, after Masood’s dismissal in the 13th over, the likes of Haider Ali and Iftikhar Ahmed had to play the big shots straightaway and they perished soon as a result. Rizwan reached a fluent half-century in the process and his lone efforts in the death overs helped Pakistan reach 167 for 5 in their 20 overs. Rizwan was unbeaten on 78 off 50 balls with seven fours and two sixes while Taskin Ahmed for Bangladesh was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 25.  

Mohammad Wasim breaks the backbone of Bangladesh run chase

Chasing more than eight an over, Bangladesh got off to a slow start with the openers failing to take advantage of the powerplay restrictions. Both the Bangladesh openers were dismissed within the powerplay and it was upto Litton Das (35) and Afif Hossain (25) to take the side home. The duo instilled hopes with a flamboyant 60-run partnership for the third wicket however a flurry of wickets fell once they were dismissed.  

At 119 for 8 in the 19th over, it looked like curtains for the Bangladesh side. However, Yasir Ali managed to impress with a 21-ball 42 which included five fours and two sixes despite his side having no chance. He got the Bangladesh side close to the target as they fell short by 21 runs in the end while Mohammad Wasim did the most damage for Pakistan with the ball.