Oct 7(ABC): Pakistan won the first match of the T20I tri-nation series by 20 runs after posting 167-5, thanks to wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan who continued his rich form and scored another half-century Friday.
Rizwan batted through the innings in cold, difficult conditions at Hagley Oval, tallying seven fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 78.
His 50-ball knock dominated the start of a series, also involving hosts New Zealand, which the three teams are using to prepare for the T20 World Cup in Australia.
The world´s top-ranked T20 batsman, Rizwan didn´t offer a chance as he lifted his career average in the shortest international format to 54.34.
The 30-year-old wicketkeeper-opener is coming off prolific form in the T20 home series loss to England, when he compiled a series-leading 316 runs.
After being asked to bat, Rizwan negotiated an awkward-paced wicket which caused several team-mates to miscue shots.
All five wickets to fall were via outfield catches, including two off Bangladesh´s best bowler, paceman Taskin Ahmed, who took 2-25.
Rizwan´s best support came from Shan Masood (31 off 22 balls) following an opening stand of 52 with captain Babar Azam (22 off 25).
Players from both teams regularly slipped on a surface made hard by unexpected weather conditions earlier in the week.
A cold blast left ground staff sweeping snow from the covers and outfield on Thursday morning.
Temperatures had climbed to a relatively warm 12 degrees Celsius (54F) for the start of the match.
