Mustafizur 5-for helps Bangladesh limit Pakistan to 315 after Imam's century

Mustafizur Rahman carved his name on the Lord’s honours boards with his five-wicket haul against Pakistan on Friday, limiting Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side to 315 on a pitch that appears to favour batsmen, UNB reports.

It was his back-to-back five-wicket haul, the first by any bowler in this World Cup.

Mustafizur missed a hat-trick chance in the last delivery of the 50th over. The southpaw became the sixth Bangladeshi bowler to take 100 or more wickets in ODI cricket. Haris Sohail was his 100th scalp in this form of cricket.

Despite Mustafizur’s heroics, Pakistan, who won the toss, posted a challenging 315 for nine wickets in 50 overs riding on a century by Imam-ul-Haque.

Pakistan failed to record an impressive start as opener Fakhar Zaman got dismissed inside the first 10 overs. However, the second wicket stand of Imam and Babar Azam added 157 runs.

While Babar fell for 96, Imam scored his maiden ton in the showpiece event. Riding on their big partnership, Pakistan were looking to cruise to a big total but Saifuddin and Mustafizur took some quick wickets to leave Pakistan struggling in the middle.

However, Imad Wasim’s explosive 43 off 26 balls helped Pakistan pass the 300-run mark.

For Bangladesh, Mustafizur returned with the figures of five for 75 while Saifuddin took 3 for 77.

Before Friday’s game, Bangladesh played eight matches in this World Cup and won three of them and lost four. The other match was washed out due to rain. Tigers bagged seven points from the eight games.

Pakistan also played eight matches and won four. They lost three matches while another was washed out due to rain.

Bangladesh made two changes in their playing XI bringing Mahmudullah Riyad and Mehidy Hasan Miraz in to replace Sabbir Rahman and Rubel Hossain.