Pakistan avoids fresh Scotland giant-killing in opening T20

Having taken out the world's top one-day international side with a historic win over England on Sunday, the Scots were looking to complete a stunning double by toppling a Pakistan team rated as the top Twenty20 nation.

Published : Jun 13, 2018 00:47 IST , Edinburgh

 Pakistan halted Scotland's giant-killing heroics with a 48-run victory over the minnows in a Twenty20 clash in Edinburgh on Tuesday.
Pakistan halted Scotland's giant-killing heroics with a 48-run victory over the minnows in a Twenty20 clash in Edinburgh on Tuesday.
lightbox-info

Pakistan halted Scotland's giant-killing heroics with a 48-run victory over the minnows in a Twenty20 clash in Edinburgh on Tuesday.

Pakistan halted Scotland's giant-killing heroics with a 48-run victory over the minnow in a Twenty20 clash in Edinburgh on Tuesday.

Having taken out the world's top one-day international side with a historic win over England on Sunday, the Scots were looking to complete a stunning double by toppling a Pakistan team rated as the top Twenty20 nation.

However, Grant Bradburn's side was unable to emulate its epic success, thanks to a solid Pakistan display. The host's run chase went flat as Scotland finished on 156 for six in response to Pakistan's 204 for four at the Grange.

READ: Pakistan to come up with new quality based central contracts

Scotland had made a bright start, with Ali Evans dismissing Ahmed Shehzad (14) and Fakhar Zaman (21) before Richie Berrington removed Hussain Talat (18).

Having set a steady rate in the early stages, Pakistan put its foot on the gas in the final five overs. Captain Sarfraz Ahmed led the way as he racked up an impressive unbeaten 89 from just 49 balls, with Shoaib Malik hitting 53 from 27 deliveries.

ALSO READ: Pakistan beats Scotland by 48 runs

That left the Scots requiring a repeat of the big-hitting, which saw them run up a tally of 371 for five against England. George Munsey and Kyle Coetzer made a decent start in reply, notching 50 runs from the first five overs.

But, the introduction of Hasan Ali to the Pakistan attack provided the injection of pace it was looking for and when he removed Munsey for 25, the Scots looked in trouble.

With Calum MacLeod, Sunday's star of the show with his 140 not out knock, trapped lbw by Shadab Khan for just 12, the fight quickly drifted out of the hosts' showing.

Scotland will have a second chance to shock Pakistan when the teams meet again on Wednesday.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment