Pakistan Crush Banlgadesh By 70 Runs

Wahab Riaz and Shahid Afridi took three wickets each in a 70-run win over Bangladesh on Sunday to extend Pakistan's winning streak to 12 limited-overs internationals. After being sent in to bat and posting 233 in 39.3 overs, Pakistan restricted Bangladesh to 163 for eight in 40 overs in the rain-shortened, series opening match.

Half centuries by Salman Butt and Mohammad Yousuf set Pakistan on course for victory.

Opener Butt scored 70 before he was caught off Alok Kapali's bowling, and Yousuf added 59 before Pakistan lost its last five wickets for six runs in the hunt for quick runs and was all out with three balls to spare.

Riaz, who replaced paceman Mohammad Asif, removed Shahriar Nafees (9), Roqibul Hasan (8) and Dolar Mahmud (0).

Afridi conceded only 19 runs for his three wickets, including opener Tamim Iqbal for 29.

Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful's emerged from his form slump, laboring for 93 balls to finish unbeaten on 56. Abdur Razzak remained not out on 26 when Younis Khan ended the match with a maiden over.

Earlier, recalled spinner Razzak claimed 3-35, while all-rounder Kapali took 3-49.

A rain-soaked outfield at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium delayed the start of the day-night game by nearly two hours, reducing it to 40 overs per side.

Pakistan drafted in Riaz to replace paceman Asif, who was dropped from the squad after being arrested in Dubai for allegedly carrying an illegal substance.

Pakistan has a day off before its match against archrival India on Tuesday. Bangladesh's next match is against India on Thursday. The series final is scheduled for June 14.