In the end, easy win for Pak

Defending champions score an facile 21-run win

An valiant 91-run partnership between Mohammed Ashraful (65) and Shakib Al Hasan (47) wasn't enough as defending Champions Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 21 runs in the Twenty20 World Cup at St Lucia on Saturday.

It was also disciplined bowling from Mohammed Sami (3 for 29) and Mohammed Aamer (2 for 16) that gave little chance for an upset.

Bangladesh could have pulled this match off had Ashraful and Hasan stayed at the crease for a little longer.

Batting first, Pakistan rode on a scintillating 141-run opening stand between Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal to pile up a competitive 172 for three in the opening Group A match.

Butt (73 off 46) and Akmal (73 off 55) showed their intentions clear from the onset and used their long handle to great affect to find fours and sixes at will to lay the foundation for the huge total.

Skipper Shakib Al Hasan was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers with figures of two for 27 while pacer Safiul Islam accounted for one victim, giving away 25 runs off his four overs.