LAHORE, April 8: Seasoned Mohammad Yousuf hit an unconquered century while paceman Sohail Tanvir and all-rounder Shahid Afridi took three wickets apiece as Pakistan crushed Bangladesh by 152 runs in the first One-day International at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Tuesday.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. They scored 322 for the loss of five wickets in the allotted 50 overs.

The target was reduced to

282 in 39 overs when two power failures forced the Duck Worth/ Lewis method to come into play.

Bangladesh, failing to pose any threat throughout their innings, were slumped to a modest total of 129 in 29.5 overs, after left-arm medium-pacer Sohail Tanvir took the first three wickets for 49.

When the match started again after 48 minutes of power-failure delay, Shahriar Nafees (24) and Mashrafe Mortaza (25) were the only two batsmen who contributed to some extent for the visitors.

Bangladesh were reduced to 68 for six and then 92 for nine by ruthless Pakistan.

Mashrafe with the help of Abdur Razzak (11) helped the visitors cross the 100-run mark.

While Sohail Tanvir provided Pakistan with a good bowling start, Shahid Afridi mopped up the tail, finishing with three for 29.

Rao Iftikhar finished with two for 16.

Earlier, Mohammad Yousuf was well supported by captain Shoaib Malik who struck 85.

Yousuf and Shoaib pulled Pakistan out of trouble with classic knocks. They joined each other when Pakistan were down at 70 for three.

Salman Butt (33), Nasir Jamshed (20) and Younis Khan (1) all lost their wickets in similar styles when wicket-keeper Dhiman Ghosh made no mistake in taking their catches.

Nasir, who played with cross bat and lack of foot-work, was removed by medium-pacer Farhad Reza at the total of 37.

With the addition of one run, Younis Khan disappointed the fans as he was sent back by medium-pacer Mashrafe Mortaza.

Yousuf then came to join Salman and tried to stabilise the innings. But at 70, Salman made things difficult again for Pakistan as he gave Reza his second wicket.

Yousuf, however, stood his ground and received his captain Shoaib Malik. The two started Pakistan’s recovery with complete command.

Playing every ball on merit and giving the visitors no chance, both brought the country out of trouble with the help of well-timed singles, doubles and boundaries.

Shoaib completed his 50 off 45 balls which was his 27th in a 156-match ODI career.

Soon, Yousuf also crossed the 50-run mark as he along with Shoaib helped Pakistan to score 150 runs in 30.2 overs.

Giving a tough time to the

visitors’ mediocre bowling attack, Yousuf and Shoaib then steered the country to cross 200 runs in 37.4 overs.

First, Shoaib lost his composure, trying to hit Saqibul Hasan, and was caught at deep long-on for a 75-ball 85, studded with seven fours, when the score was 215.

Yousuf, who could not play a big knock in the National One-day Cup, seemed hungry for runs. With in-form Misbah-ul-Haq (38, two sixes, one four) on the other end, Yousuf put on quick-fire 78 runs in the fifth-wicket partnership.

During that, Yousuf also completed his 15th ODI century off 99 balls, cracking 10 boundaries.

Misbah hitting two big sixes to off-spinner Mahmudullah geared up the run-rate as Pakistan had reached 250 for the loss of four wickets in 43.2 overs.

At 283, Misbah lost his wicket as wicket-keeper Ghosh took his catch off Mortaza.

But Yousuf stood at the crease with Shahid Afridi (27 not out, two sixes, two fours) who gave a fine finishing touch, adding 39 runs in the unbroken sixth-wicket stand, as Pakistan posted a hefty total for Bangladesh.

Yousuf remained unbeaten on 107 which was laced with seven boundaries.

Reza and Mortaza grabbed two wickets each.

Scoreboard