Pakistan vs Bangladesh, ICC T20 World Cup 2016: Shahid Afridi's side hammer the Tigers to seal 55 run victory

Boom Boom...!!! That is how Pakistan started the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 as they registered a comfortable victory over Bangladesh in Group 2 clash at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 16 March.

Pakistan managed 201 runs for the loss of five wickets in their 20 overs, with brilliant all-round batting display. However, Bangladesh were unable to chase the mammoth target as they could score only 146 runs, losing six wickets in the process, resulting in a 55 runs defeat.

Things did not go as per Bangladesh's plan even from the beginning as Mashrafe Mortaza lost the toss as Shahid Afridi won the toss and elected to bat first. Pakistan openers gave them a good start before Sharjeel Khan was dismissed for 18 by Arafat Sunny.

Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez put on a brilliant partnership between them as the duo went on to score individual half centuries, before the opener was dismissed for for 52 in the 14th over. His dismissal saw captain Afridi promote himself up the order.

Afridi and Hafeez accelerated the scoring before the latter was dismissed for 64. His loss did not make any impact as Afridi continued to shine with the bat. He managed 49 off 19 balls, before ending up giving a simple catch to Mahmudullah.

In reply, Bangladesh lost Soumya Sarkar in the first over as Mohammed Amir was successful in creating trouble for the opposition very early in the innings. The Tigers were not able to get a good partnership as they were losing wickets at regular intervals.

Afridi was the star with the ball as he picked up two wickets and conceded 27 runs off his four overs. Amir managed two wickets, while Imad Wasim and Mohammed Irfan picked up a wicket each. Shakib Al Hasan was the star player with the bat for Bangladesh as he remained unbeaten until the end on 50.

Shakib reached his personal milestone of 1000 runs in T20I during the match and his half century will be only positives for Bangladesh from their clash against Pakistan. Their bowling performance, which was very poor as their failure to pick wickets helped Afridi's side post a huge total.

This is a brilliant display from Pakistan. Despite having a batting track at the Eden Gardens, Shahid Afridi's side were successful in stopping Bangladesh from getting a good start early in the innings. Pakistan play India in the next fixture at the Eden Gardens on 19 March, while Bangladesh take on Australia on 21 March.