DHAKA – Ahmed Shehzad and Misbah-ul-Haq hit centuries as they steered Pakistan to a morale-boosting 89-run victory over co-hosts Bangladesh in a World Cup warm up match on Tuesday. The win would have helped to put the players in the right frame of mind for the Feb 19-April 2 tournament after their recent on-field exploits were overshadowed by the ban handed to three former team mates for spot-fixing.
Pakistan scored 285 for nine in their 50 overs before skittling out Bangladesh 196 in the 42nd over, with the hosts losing their last three wickets for the addition of just two runs. Bangladesh were put on the back foot from the start as they lost opener Tamim Iqbal when Abdul Razzaq knocked over his bails with the very first delivery.
Shehzad hit 103 from 122 balls with a six and nine boundaries while Misbah smashed a 100-ball century with four sixes and eight fours. Pakistan play their first World Cup Group A match against unfancied Kenya on Feb. 23 in Hambantota. Bangladesh meet fellow co-hosts India in Group B in the opening match of the tournament on Feb. 19 in Dhaka.
