Bangladesh lose despite Tamim ton as Pakistan clinch last-over win in thrilling warmup

Bangladesh have suffered a dramatic defeat as a remarkable late blitz steered Pakistan to a last-over win in a high-scoring thriller in a warm-up game.

After Tamim Iqbal’s century lifted the Tigers’ to an imposing 341 for 9, Shoaib Malik (72), Mohammad Hafeez (49) and Ahmed Shehzad (44) kept Pakistan’s chances, albeit slim, alive in the chase at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Saturday.

When their departures left Pakistan teetering on 227-6 in 38.3 in their first pre-Champions Trophy warm-up, Bangladesh, who went into the match after climbing to the sixth ODI spot beating New Zealand in Ireland, may have thought they had the game in their bag.

But Pakistan allrounder Fahim Ashraf, in at nine, turned the game on its head by clubbing four sixes and as many boundaries to smash 64 off 30 balls in a blistering unbroken 41-ball 93-run stand in the ninth wicket with Hasan Ali (27 off 15 balls) to coast to the win.

They put the Bangladesh bowlers to the sword as Taskin Ahmed (1-80 in 9 overs), skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (1-68 in 9.3 overs) gave away too many runs while Shakib Al Hasan (1-41 in 6 overs) could do little about it.

Earlier, Tamim Iqbal struck a scintillating century to lead a bright batting display from Bangladesh after they elected to bat.

Tamim flourished with elegant strokes in his 93-ball 102 which was complimented by gritty knocks from Imrul Kayes (61 off 62 balls), Mushfiqur Rahim (46 off 35 balls).

All the Pakistan bowlers, barring Mohammed Hafeez who bowled a three-over spell for 11, were put to the sword by the Tigers batsmen, but the total was not enough to beat Pakistan.

Bangladesh will take on India in the last warm-up on Monday before they face hosts England the Oval in the Champions Trophy opener on Jun 1.