T20 World Cup 2014: Ahmed Shehzad Century Helps Pakistan Retain Semi-Final Hopes

Pakistan kept alive their hopes of progressing to the T20 World Cup semi-finals with a 50-run victory against Bangladesh on Saturday courtesy of Ahmed Shehzad's century.

The Pakistanis posted a total of 190 for 5 from their 20 overs with Shezad scoring 111 runs in 62 deliveries. But the Bangladesh batsmen could only manage 140 for 7 in 20 overs giving away seven wickets in the process.

Pakistan started the game brightly with openers Shehzad and Kamran Akmal smashing seven fours and a six in the first three overs. With 43 runs on the board, they lost Akmal (9) in the fifth over as the wicketkeeper-batsman's shot from Abdur Razzak's delivery was caught by Ziaur Rahman.

Mohammad Hafeez was the next casualty for Pakistan; the skipper managed to score only eight runs before being stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim to give Razzak his second wicket of the game. Umar Akmal joined his compatriots back in the pavilion without adding a single run.

Shoaib Malik (26) too followed in a similar manner to that of his captain but from Shakib Al Hasan's delivery. However, Shehzad maintained his stance and completed his century in the 18<sup>th over, becoming the first Pakistani batsman to do so in the T20 International matches.

With 12 balls remaining Pakistan's scoreboard read 156 for four. But the remaining two overs turned out to be a bonus with Shezad added 10 runs with a four and a six, while Shahid Afridi smashed two sixes and a four before being dismissed by Al-Amin Hossain in the last over.

Chasing a target of 191, Bangladesh started moderately and lost Tamim Iqbal (16) in the fifth over. The opener mistimed his shot and allowed Gul's delivery to smash his stumps. Fellow opener Anamul Haque (18) too followed suit hitting the Saeed Ajmal's delivery back at the bowler for an easy catch.

Shamsur Rahman and Rahim were the next in line to fall, contributing only four and two runs each to Shahid Afridi and Zulfiqar Babar's deliveries. With the scoreboard reading 47 for four, Shakib Al Hasan and Nasir Hossain attempted to add some runs to the tally. The former departed making only 38 runs, giving Gul his second wicket of the innings.

Bangladesh were not allowed to smash the runs freely by the Pakistani bowlers and had only 91 runs till the 15<sup>th over. Hossain combined with Mahmudullah helping their side cross the 100-run mark. He came down the pitch, attempting to drive Ajmal's delivery but missed it completely only to be stumped by Kamran Akmal.

With 116 runs on the board, Gul dismissed Ziaur in the 18<sup>th over and that was the last Bangladeshi wicket to fall in their innings. Mashrafe Mortaza added 17 runs to the tally scoring four fours in the remaining 14 deliveries while his partner Mahmudullah scored seven runs more to take his personal score to 17 as their innings ended for 140 runs.

Having already lost their opening two games of the super-10 stage to West Indies and India, Bangladesh's hopes of clinching a semi-final spot collapsed with this defeat.

Pakistan meanwhile have four points from three matches and still have a chance of making it if they manage to beat West Indies in their next game on Tuesday.