In a gripping encounter at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium during the first Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2023, Pakistani pace sensation Naseem Shah etched his name in cricket history with a remarkable achievement.
A Dream Start for Naseem Shah
Naseem, the 20-year-old prodigy, provided Pakistan with a dream start as he sent Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz back to the pavilion with his very first delivery of the innings. This crucial dismissal created a unique record for the young speedster.
A Trailblazing Record
Naseem Shah became the first Pakistani bowler to accomplish the remarkable feat of taking a wicket in each of his first 13 One Day Internationals (ODIs). This extraordinary consistency is a testament to his bowling prowess and early impact on the international stage. Moreover, Naseem also claimed the title of the bowler with the most wickets (32) in his first 13 ODIs for the Green Shirts, surpassing the legendary Abdul Qadir, who had secured 27 wickets.
An Injury Scare
During the seventh over of Bangladesh’s batting, Naseem Shah briefly left the field after a slip near the boundary rope. While attempting to prevent a boundary, he stretched his right shoulder, causing concern. However, the resilient right-arm pacer returned to the field after a six-over hiatus, showcasing his dedication and determination.
Bowling Brilliance
In the first innings, Pakistani bowlers continued their exceptional performance by dismissing Bangladesh for a total of 193 runs. The home side gained an upper hand from the outset, taking their first wicket in the seventh ball of the match. The Bengal Tigers struggled as wickets continued to tumble, finding themselves at 47/4 in just 9.1 overs.
Nevertheless, a remarkable 100-run partnership between Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakil Al Hasan led Bangladesh to a competitive score. Hasan’s valiant effort of 53 runs was terminated by Faheem Ashraf, while Rahim’s stay at the crease was ended by Haris Rauf after amassing 64 runs. Rauf was in fiery form, dismissing Taskin Ahmed on the very next ball. Naseem Shah, showcasing his all-round brilliance, claimed the final two wickets for Pakistan.
Team Changes and Qualifications
Both Pakistan and Bangladesh made strategic lineup changes for this crucial match. Pakistan replaced Mohammad Nawaz with Faheem Ashraf, while Bangladesh brought in Litton Das to replace the injured Najmul Hossain Shanto. In terms of tournament progression, Pakistan and India qualified from Group A, while Bangladesh and Sri Lanka secured their spots in the Asia Cup Super 4 from Group B.
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