Pakistan’s Umar Akmal, right, and Shoaib Malik run between the wickets during the match against the United Arab Emirates in Dhaka on Monday. APMirpur: Pakistan survived a top-order collapse before completing a seven-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates in their second round robin league match of the Asia Cup T20 tournament, here on Monday.
An unbroken 114-run stand for the fourth wicket between Shoaib Malik (63 not out) and Umar Akmal (50 not out) sealed the issue for Shahid Afridis men, who chased down the victory target of 130 in 18.4 overs.
Opting to bat, the UAE managed to score 129 for six, despite a top-order collapse which saw them tottering at 12 for three after just four overs.
Shaiman Anwar was the top-scorer with 46 off 42 balls that was studded with five boundaries and two sixes. Skipper Amjad Javed also threw his bat around to contribute a valuable unbeaten 27 off 18 balls with three fours and two sixes.
Malik proved his detractors wrong with a responsible innings as he found an able ally in Akmal.
Pakistan suffered triple jolt early in their chase by rival captain Javed, who struck thrice reducing the former World T20 champions to 17 for three. Sharjeel Khan (4) was adjudged leg before while Khurram Manzoor nicked one to Swapnil Patil behind the stumps. Mohammed Hafeez (11) looked scratchy before offering a catch to short cover.
Akmal and under-fire veteran Malik then took charge, and hit a flurry of fours and sixes during the final overs.
In all, Malik hit seven fours and three sixes in 49 balls while Akmal helped himself to couple of boundaries apart from three over boundaries in 46 balls.
Malik was dropped on 41 in the deep off Mohammed Shahzad's bowling and that proved to be too costly for the inexperienced side. Malik hit couple of hefty blows in part-time spinner Rohan Mustafa's next over to effectively finish the match.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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