The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Desk

Kamran Akmal teed off with a manic 81-ball 100 and Salman Butt rounded off with a more measured and career-best 132 as Pakistan totaled a competitive, if ultimately disappointing, 308 for 8 in game three in Lahore. It should have been sizably larger given that Akmal's blitz had Pakistan at 151 for 0 in the 23rd over, but Bangladesh pulled matters back superbly, limiting the damage in the slog overs rather efficiently, taking four wickets and allowing 72 runs. Butt stuck around to ensure a superb platform wasn't entirely squandered, scoring his fifth ODI hundred and first against anyone but India. Pakistan will back themselves to wrap up the series against a side that's yet to win a game in the country.

From 17 in seven overs Pakistan went to 51 from ten and after the completion of the Powerplays they were 132, thanks largely to Akmal's belligerence. Given lives on 1 and 19 - the second a terrible call for a second and an even worse throw from the deep - he revved up the pace after a watchful start with a three consecutive fours in the eighth over as Shahadat Hossain held back his length with fine leg inside the circle.

Further boundaries followed as mid-off allowed the ball to roll through his legs and an inside-edge sneaked to fine leg.

Abdur Razzak came on as Bangladesh took the second Powerplay and Akmal took an immediately liking to him, making room to cut square off the pitch repeatedly. His fifty came up with one such slash to deep cover, off just 43 balls. Razzak continued to struggle for length and with no assistance from the surface Akmal continued to milk runs. Shakib Al Hasan was welcomed into the attack with a straight six.