Opener Imran Nazir produced the tournament's fastesthalf-century as Pakistan stormed into the Super Eights of the ICC WorldTwenty20 with a crushing eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh, here on Tuesday.
Needing a win to advance to the next round, Pakistan rode onNazir's 36-ball 72-run blistering knock and his record 124-run opening standwith skipper Mohammad Hafeez to chase the challenging 176-run target with eightballs to spare, in their final group league encounter.
Nazir reached his fifty in just 25 deliveries, one quickerthan Chris Gayle's 26-ball effort against Australia.
In the crucial encounter, Bangladesh needed to win by amargin of at least 36 runs, but their bowlers came a cropper in the face ofNazir's sustained onslaught.
During his belligerent knock, Nazir struck three sixes andnine fours that left the Bangladeshis shell-shocked, as they had giventhemselves a chance by posting a competitive total.
Nazir was ably supported by Hafeez (45 off 47 balls) as theyproduced the tournament's highest partnership for any wicket.
