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Pakistan achieve narrow win over Bangladesh in third one-day international

13/04/2008

Centuries from Kamran Akmal and Salman Butt helped Pakistan to a 23-run victory over Bangladesh in the third one-day international between the two sides.

Opting to bat first, the hosts made an impressive start as opening pair Akmal and Butt made a stand of 151.

Akmal reached his century off just 80 balls before being bowled out by Mahmudullah on his very next delivery, while Butt showed greater staying power, finally bowing out for 132 after making three figures off 106 deliveries.

A strong innings from Shoaib Malik, who was dismissed for 33, brought an end to a slight slump, leaving Bangladesh with a target of 308 to reach.

Despite Tamim Iqbal (63) and Shakib (75) giving the visitors an ideal start, Pakistan always looked in control, with the team's spin bowlers in particularly fine form.

Bangladesh finished on 285-7, 23 runs short of Pakistan's total.

Victory in Lahore gave Pakistan an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match one-day series.

The sides will meet again in Multan on Wednesday and Karachi on Saturday.

India also won their third test in Kanpur to draw their three-match series away in South Africa, beating the visitors by eight wickets in a low-scoring game in Kanpur.