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Fantastic Fahim fires Pakistan to win

Bangladesh fail to defend 341 as stunning ninth-wicket stand flips Champions Trophy warm-up on its head

Pakistan have issued an ominous warning to their rivals ahead of the Champions Trophy with a remarkable batting performance that saw them chase down Bangladesh's 341 at Edgbaston on Saturday.

After Tamim Iqbal's 102 led the Tigers to an imposing total in their warm-up clash ahead of Thursday's tournament opener against England at The Oval, Pakistan slipped to 8-249 in the 43rd over, with victory still a distant 93 runs away.

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At that point, Fahim Ashraf stole the show with a blistering 64 not out from 30 deliveries, the No.9 ably supported by Hasan Ali (27no off 15) as the ninth-wicket pair put on 93 from just 45 balls to snatch the unlikeliest of two-wicket wins.

Shoaib Malik top-scored for Pakistan with 72 (66), while Ahmed Shehzad (44) and Mohammad Hafeez (49 off 62) both spent valuable time in the middle ahead of next Sunday's massive clash with arch-rivals India, also in Birmingham.

For Bangladesh, century-maker Tamim led the way, with Imrul Kayes (61 off 62) and Mushfiqur Rahim (46 off 35) also helping the tournament underdogs to a massive total.

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On a forgettable day for bowlers, Pakistan paceman Junaid Khan claimed the best figures with 4-73.

But it was the match-turning partnership from Pakistan's lower-order pair that became the talking point, with the heroics of Fahim made all the more remarkable by the fact that he is yet to debut for his country – this warm-up match not being granted official ODI status.

The left-hander hit four fours and four sixes in a stunning onslaught that highlighted just how much Bangladesh missed their star allrounder Mustafizur Rahman.

"It's the first innings I've played for Pakistan," he said. "But in domestic cricket I've played a lot of innings like that.

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"On one side, the boundary was very small (42m). But they were bowling in good areas and we thought we would hit straight down the ground.

"I have an ability to hit straight."

Pakistan next face Australia in Birmingham on Monday, while Bangladesh travel to London to take on India on Tuesday, in both teams' final clashes before the tournament proper gets underway. 


Champions Trophy 2017 Guide


Squads: Every Champions Trophy squad named so far

Group A: Australia, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh.

Group B: India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan.


Schedule


Warm-up matches


28 May – India v New Zealand, The Oval

29 May – Australia v Pakistan, Edgbaston

30 May – New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Edgbaston

30 May – Bangladesh vs India, The Oval


Tournament


1 June – England v Bangladesh, The Oval (Day)

2 June – Australia v New Zealand, Edgbaston (D)

3 June – Sri Lanka v South Africa, The Oval (D)

4 June – India v Pakistan, Edgbaston (D)

5 June – Australia v Bangladesh, The Oval (D/N)

6 June – England v New Zealand, Cardiff (D)

7 June – Pakistan v South Africa, Edgbaston (D/N)

8 June – India v Sri Lanka, The Oval (D)

9 June – New Zealand v Bangladesh, Cardiff (D)

10 June – England v Australia, Edgbaston (D)

11 June – India v South Africa, The Oval (D)

12 June – Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Cardiff (D)

14 June – First semi-final (A1 v B2), Cardiff (D)

15 June – Second semi-final (A2 v B1), Edgbaston (D)

18 June – Final, The Oval (D)


19 June – Reserve day (D)