Pakistan win series despite Bangladesh effort

Monday April 14, 09:35 AM

LAHORE (Reuters) - Pakistan saw off a brave run chase from Bangladesh to win the third one-day international by 23 runs and take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Tamim Iqbal (63) and Shakib Al Hasan (75) gave Bangladesh real hope after centuries from Kamran Akmal (100) and Salman Butt (132) had propelled Pakistan to an imposing 308 for eight in 50 overs.

Bangladesh kept themselves in the hunt with some gutsy batting but an asking rate of 113 runs in the final 10 overs proved too much and they were restricted to 285 for seven.

All-rounder Fawad Alam, playing his first match in the series, produced two moments of brilliance to derail the Bangladesh run chase.

Alam was responsible for the run outs of Iqbal and captain Mohammad Ashraful (16) after a swift start to the visitors's reply.

Iqbal, who hit eight fours in his 69-ball knock, featured in a second-wicket stand of 90 from 81 balls with Aftab Ahmed (42).

Iqbal was run out from the mid-wicket boundary going for a third run and Aftab was caught behind by Akmal off captain Shoaib Malik.

Ashraful was fourth man out before Shakib and Mahmudullah Riad (24) added 33 for the fifth wicket.

Riad was bowled by Rao Iftikhar but Shakib went onto reach his half century from 55 balls and he was finally bowled by Shahid Afridi trying a paddle shot after hitting six fours from 73 balls as the Bangladesh effort petered out.

Earlier Akmal and Butt hit contrasting centuries in an opening stand of 151 after Pakistan elected to bat first.

Akmal blazed his way to his first one-day hundred since December 2005 from only 80 balls while Butt took 106 balls to reach three figures.

Butt was dismissed in the 49th over, caught by keeper Ghosh off Mortaza having batted for 127 balls and hit 15 fours.

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