Yasir Hameed's brilliant century, his third in One-Day Internationals, helped Pakistan score an easy 76-run victory over Bangladesh in the Group 'A' encounter in the Asia Cup in Colombo on Saturday.
Electing to bat first, Pakistan scored 257 for the loss of six wickets, with Hameed scoring 102 off 123 balls.
Vice-captain Yousuf Youhana (29 not out) and Imran Farhat (28) were the other notable contributors for the defending champions against a modest Bangladeshi bowling attack at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.
In reply, Bangladesh squandered a good start from opener Javed Omar and folded up for 181.
Pakistan innings
Pakistan went into the game with two spinners, Danish Kaneria and Mohammad Sami, on pitch that was expected to offer turn as the match wore on.
Bangaldesh were looking to cement their growing reputation. The side is regarded as the worst in Test cricket, but has shown great improvement since Australian Dave Wahtmore took over as coach.
The 26-year-old Hameed and Farhat provided Pakistan a steady start, putting on 86 runs, but they were never really able to get away. They were pegged back by some useful bowling by left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, who also provided the breakthrough by removing Farhat.
The Bangladeshis, who have virtually assured themselves a berth in the Super League stage after the 116-run victory over Hong Kong on Friday, got another wicket almost immediately when Shoaib Malik, promoted to the number three position, was run-out for three.
Hameed and Inzamam, however, steadied the ship with a classy 109-run third-wicket partnership. Inzamam in particular was in the mood to stand and deliver.
Hameed was dropped by Mohammad Ashraful, the youngest centurion in Test cricket, at long-off off by Khaled Mahmud when on 61. The opener made the Bangladeshis pay for their mistakes and struck ten boundaries during his knock. He drove well and was not afraid to loft the ball over the in-field even as Inzamam played some lusty shots during his 66-ball knock, in which he hit four fours and two sixes, both off left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique.
But the two perished in quick succession after which none of the other batsmen were able to really accelerate the pace of scoring in the slog overs.
Inzamam stepped out to hit left-arm spinner Abdur Razzaq and was stumped by wicketkeeter Khaled Mashud while Hameed holed out to Mushfiqur Rahman at deep mid-wicket off seamer Mahmud.
Youhana chipped in with an unbeaten 39-ball 29 but the Bangladeshi bowlers did reasonably well to stem the flow of runs in the slog overs.
Razzak was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers, finishing with figures of 10-1-36-2, while Tapash Baisya, Khaled Mahmud and Mohammed Rafique chipped in with a wicket each.
Bangladesh InningsThe Bangladesh innings was given a good start by Javed Omar, who top-scored for his team with 62, but thereafter they stuttered badly as they tried to force the pace against a disciplined Pakistan attack.
The Pakistani bowlers were operating off a shortened run-up for the first time as per coach Bob Woolmer's suggestion and they looked like they were still adjusting to the part. Mohammad Sami seems to have relished the change while Shoaib Akhtar looked like he was still feeling the aftereffects of his multitude of injuries.
The batsmen were striking the ball well and with Sami and Akhtar unable to get a breakthrough it looked like Bangaldesh might well produce another big upset. The first ten overs yielded 48 runs for the loss of Mohammad Asharful's wicket.
Akhtar, to start with, seemed to be just going through the motions, but towards the end of the match seemed closer to his old self.
Sami, in complete contrast, was full of enthusiasm. He was wayward to start off with but then bowled some unplayable deliveries. He got his reward in the 11th over when Mohammad Ashraful nicked one straight to wicketkeeper Moin Khan. (48 for 1).
Up to this point, Bangladesh were playing perfectly but what happened next showed how one wicket can change the complexion of the game.
Captain Habibul Bashar seemed lost when he came in and it was no surprise to seem him trapped in front of his stumps by a Sami inswinger. (52 for 2).
Omar suffered a hamstring injury while completing a run and this played a huge part in his dismissal later on.
Rajin Saleh joined him, but both could not carry on with the early momentum that they had seized in the first 10 overs. Only 28 came in the next 9.3 overs and Pakistan slowly tightened the noose around the match.
Rain came down for the first time in the tournament and halted proceedings with Bangladesh on 76 for 2 after 19.3 overs. Bangladesh were still in the game -- if only they could keep their heads and play to a plan.
But after the break the Pakistani bowlers turned the screws and Bangladesh were reduced to 150 for the loss of eight wickets by the end of the 37th over. In sum, the Bangladeshi batsmen were outclassed and outthought.
Malik claimed the wicket of Saleh and started the slide. At the end of the day, Akhtar chipped in with three and Shoaib Malik with another two wickets as Pakistan emerged easy winners.
Bangladesh were all out for 181 and Pakistan won their first match of the Asia Cup by 76 runs.