The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Desk

Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 102 runs in their one-off Twenty20 match in Karachi on Sunday.

Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first.

Earliar Misbah-ul-Haq turned in another spectacular performance in the game's shortest format, smashing an unbeaten 87 to drive Pakistan to a massive 203 in their stipulated 20 overs.

Bangladesh scored 101 losing all wickets in 16 overs.

Nazimuddin scored highest 42 facing 48 balls for Bangladesh.

In the first Twenty20 international to be held in Pakistan, Shoaib Malik's decision to bat first seemed to have gone awry when in-form openers Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal were both dismissed in the first over. Bangladesh's joy was shortlived, however, as Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq made light of the loss of wickets to propel Pakistan to 84 for 2 by the end of the ninth over.

Both batsmen used their feet well to unsettle the bowlers and complemented their big hits with superb running between the wickets to keep Pakistan on course for a big total. Younis was the more aggressive of the two, racing along to 47 with the help of some effortless cuts and drives before falling to the first ball from Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's best performer through the series.