SCO vs PAK 2018, 1st T20I: Visitors Steamroll Scots in a One-Sided Affair, Sarfraz Scores 89

Pakistan registered a comprehensive victory against Scotland in the opening T20I at Edinburg to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

It was an impressive all-round performance by the Asian giants which saw them registering a victory by 48 runs victory against the Scots. The hosts came into the match on the back of an unlikely win against England in the one-off ODI. It was a sensational innings by Calum MacLeod which had handed them a nerve-wracking victory.

Pakistan would have been wary of the fact that Scotland would cash in on any opportunities if they didn’t put an impressive showing. They were tested a bit in the start of the 2^nd innings. However, the experience of Pakistan proved to be too much for the Scots. It was Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed who won the toss and opted to bat.

Fakhar Zaman and Ahmed Shehzad began pretty well. The duo shared a 33-run partnership before Alasdair Evans bagged both the wickets in quick succession. Richie Berrington then prized out the wicket of Hussain Talat. From there on, it was a great knock by the skipper which them over the 200-mark. It was a sensational piece of batting by the wicket-keeper batsman.

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Sarfraz’s knock of 89 studded with ten fours and three sixes. His innings came in 49 deliveries. He toyed with the Scotish bowling line-up and smashed them all around the park.

The former skipper, Shoaib Malik also provided the much-needed impetus which propelled Pakistan over the 200-mark. Malik’s innings of 53 came in 27 deliveries which included five monstrous sixes. Evans was the pick of the Scotish bowlers bagging three wickets.

The hosts needed to get off to a brisk and steady start and it was exactly what the openers provided. George Munsey and Kyle Coetzer shared a brilliant 53-run stand for the opening wicket. Coetzer smashed four fours and a six during his knock of 31 off 18 deliveries.

Munsey made 25 off 22 deliveries before being dismissed by Hasan Ali. Mohammad Nawaz bagged the wicket of Coetzer.

From there on, Pakistan stamped their authority in the game bagging wickets at regular intervals. Shadab Khan opened the floodgates for Pakistan. With the fall of wickets, the run-rate never managed to creep up.

Scots were always behind the target and eventually fell short by 48 runs. Shadab Khan, the young leg-spinner bagged a couple of wickets while Hasan Ali also chipped in with a couple. Pakistan will surely look to seal the series 2-0 and after their performance on Tuesday, it would be a likely result.

However, after their victory against England, Scots will be upbeat of inflicting another big upset.

Brief Scores

Pakistan 204/4 in 20 overs (Sarfaraz Ahmed 89, Shoaib Malik 53, Alasdair Evans 3/23)

Scotland 156/6 in 20 overs (Michael Leask 38, Kyle Coetzer 31, Shadab Khan 2/23)

Pakistan won by 48 runs

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