Pakistan vs Bangladesh, 7th Match, Super Four at Lahore, Asia Cup, Sep 06 2023 - Match Result

9.45pm Quite a comprehensive win for Pakistan to start off the Super Fours. And sign off from the Pakistan leg of the tournament in style. Bangladesh will now face Sri Lanka on September 9 in Colombo where they will look to bounce back from this defeat and get some revenge against Sri Lanka. For today, that will be all from us. On behalf of Thilak, Ranjith and Himanshu (whose report summing up this game you can read here), this is Abhimanyu signing off. Goodnight everyone!

9.35pm Time for the presentation ceremony.

The player of the match is, as guessed by many of you, Haris Rauf: "It was hot but as a professional you have to manage these things. I've played quite a bit of cricket here. Home field. People here had expectations that we perform like this. So happy we won like this. We plan for any team as a bowling unit and discuss our roles. We try to execute the roles given to us. [On bowling back of length] On Lahore wickets you try to bowl stump-to-stump. I didn't go for the yorker as it wasn't needed. You have your goals in mind but you just keep working hard and try to give your best performance for the team."

Pakistan captain Babar Azam: "[On the fast bowlers] Credit to all the boys, especially the first ten overs. How they are bowling in the first ten overs and then Haris Rauf is also bowling really well. [On Faheem Ashraf] Yes we saw the games and fast bowlers were getting a little bit help and Faheem bowled really well. Winning always gives you confidence. [On the team feeling pressure] I don't think so. We are just giving our best in every match."

Irfan Rahman: "Surprised that Haris is not the MoM on a batting wicket". He still may be. It's not been announced yet. Imam just spoke pitch-side.

9.30pm We should have the presentation ceremony soon so don't go anywhere!

Imam-ul-Haq: "I would say not one of my fluent innings. We thought it was going to be a good batting wicket but it was seaming around so we were surprised but I have worked on my back foot game against spinners and I am happy with that. [On trying to score quicker for NRR] We discussed about it and we had a plan. We thought we can just chase in 36 overs and intentions were clear about it. We thought we had the chance and we were fortunate enough to close the match as early as possible. [On the pacers] They are remarkable and I just want them to bowl this way for the next two months."

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan: "We lost early wickets in the start and we played some ordinary shots. On a wicket like this we shouldn't lose four wickets in the first ten overs, but it happens. Our partnership was good, thought we needed to bat 7-8 more overs. Very poor batting display on a surface like this but we have to move on to the next one. They are the no.1 team and these are the reasons. They have three world class bowlers who are making things easier for them. We have been doing well in the bowling department but batting is a bit hot and cold. We need to be more consistently. I thought our three seamers bowled brilliantly. Like Pakistan, our seamers have been bowling very well in the last couple of years. But unfortunately on a pitch like this you can't get wickets unless batters make mistakes. [On playing in SL] When I played in LPL, pitches were a bit slow, wickets were a little up and down and that should help us. So hopefully we will do well in Colombo."

9.20pm Pakistan took their time, but win comfortably in the end. Haris Rauf set it up with his excellent four-wicket haul, helped by Naseem who took three. Imam stayed steady despite a great opening spell from Shoriful, surviving quite a few lbw appeals. Fakhar, who started positively before slowing down, eventually was trapped lbw by Shoriful. Babar fell to Taskin soon, but Rizwan joined Imam and the two ensured Pakistan did not suffer any further hiccups. Imam got to a fine fifty and got out trying to up the tempo. By the time he departed for 78, Pakistan had the match in the bag. Rizwan got a well deserved half-century too.

Shamim Hossein now

Saikot: "In subcontinent pitches, if a pacer even does a half decent job, no question should be asked about POTM but them"