Pakistan Shaheens powered to a commanding 79-run win over Bangladesh A in the opening match of the Top End T20 Series in Darwin on Thursday, with opener Yasir Khan starring in both innings.
Put in to bat, the Shaheens posted 227 for 4 in their 20 overs. Khawaja Nafay lit up the early overs with a blistering 61 off 31 balls, before Yasir added 62 from 40 deliveries.
The real late damage came from Abdul Samad, who smashed 56 from just 27 balls to push the total beyond reach.
For Bangladesh A, Hasan Mahmud, Rakibul Hasan and Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby picked up a wicket each, but the bowlers leaked boundaries throughout.
Chasing 228, Bangladesh A made a promising start after an early loss when Jishan Alam (33 off 17) and Saif Hassan (57 off 32) counterattacked to take the score past 90 inside eight overs.
But once Saif fell in the 12th over, the middle and lower order caved under pressure. The last eight wickets fell for just 56 runs, with Bangladesh A bowled out for 148 in 16.5 overs.
Left-arm spinner Faisal Akram (3-19) and medium-pacer Saad Masood (3-30) did most of the damage, supported by Mohammad Wasim’s sharp two-wicket burst.
The result gives Pakistan Shaheens early momentum in the Australian-based series, while Bangladesh A will need to regroup quickly before their next outing.