#PakvsBan | Pakistan waltz to victory as they crush Bangladesh by 55 runs

Pakistan crushed Bangladesh by 55 runs in their opening match of the T20 World Cup at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday evening.

Bangladesh could only muster 146 in reply to Pakistan's massive 201 as Mohammad Amir and captain Shahid Afridi both took two wickets apiece. Bangladesh were expecting to fare better in the match having beaten Pakistan in the recently concluded Asia Cup but were outclassed by the Pakistani bowling attack on this occasion.

With this win, Pakistan have now reached the top of Group 2, ahead of New Zealand on net run-rate. They play their next match against India on 19 March, hoping to win a match against the hosts in a World Cup competition for the first time ever.

The match against Bangladesh stands out for fast bowler Mohammad Amir's performance against the in-form batting line-up of Bangladesh. He bagged a wicket merely off the third delivery of his spell, as he ripped through the defenses of Soumya Sarkar to uproot the stumps.

He then produced an excellent slower ball towards the end of the innings to outfox Mushfiqur Rahim, and should have had another wicket when Mohammad Shahzad spilled an easy catch that would have dismissed Shakib al Hasan.

With Amir back to his best and the duo of Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Irfan performing to their potential, Pakistan will be optimistic about their chances in the tournament.