The cup
Asia Cup: Fakhar’s Fifty, Shaheen’s Late Cameo Take Pakistan To 146/9 After Turbulent Build-up
The game, already marked by controversy following Pakistan’s row with match referee Andy Pycroft, saw the Men in Green once again struggle with the bat. Asked to bat first, they lost both openers inside the first three overs, with Junaid Siddique breathing fire with the new ball. Saim Ayub, desperate to avoid a hat-trick of golden ducks, lasted just two deliveries before falling for a silver duck. Abdullah Shafique fared little better as Pakistan slumped early.
It was Fakhar Zaman who steadied the innings with an aggressive counterattack. Walking in at number three, the left-hander played with intent, mixing calculated risks with clean hitting. He brought up a much-needed half-century, reaching 50 off 36 balls with two boundaries and three sixes. Alongside skipper Salman Ali Agha, who ground out 20 off 27, Zaman added 61 runs for the third wicket to briefly lift Pakistan from the ruins.
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