World Twenty20 2014: Ahmed Shehzad ton inspires Pakistan

Ahmed Shehzad

Ahmed Shehzad's unbeaten century helped Pakistan beat Bangladesh at the World Twenty20 to set up a decider with West Indies and eliminate Australia.

Opener Shehzad hit 111 not out off 62 balls as Pakistan posted 190-5.

Bangladesh could only manage 140-7 in reply as Umar Gul finished with 3-30 to give Pakistan a 50-run victory.

Pakistan cannot now be caught by Australia - and face West Indies in their final Group Two match on Tuesday with a semi-final place at stake.

The winners of that match will join India in the last four, with Bangladesh also eliminated.

Pakistan's victory over Bangladesh represents an impressive turnaround after they were thrashed by India in their opening match.

This win was much more comfortable than their thrilling victory over Australia, and Pakistan will go into the match against defending champions West Indies hitting form at the right time.

Pakistan batted first after winning the toss at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, and Shehzad got them off to a positive start.

The 22-year-old signalled his intent in the third over as he hit Mashrafe Mortaza for 18 runs.

But Bangladesh fought back as Abdur Razzak (2-20) picked up the wickets of Kamran Akmal and Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez.

And when Mohammad Mahmudullah (1-24) dismissed Umar Akmal for nought in the 10th over, Pakistan looked in trouble at 71-3.

However, Shehzad hit 10 boundaries and five sixes in his first T20 international century, as he shared a fourth-wicket stand of 83 with Shoaib Malik (26).

Shehzad, who reached his century off 58 balls in the 18th over, was caught in the 19th - but from a Mortaza no-ball.

The let-off proved expensive as Shahid Afridi (22) helped Pakistan score 44 runs off the last two overs, with Mortaza punished for 24 in the penultimate over.

Bangladesh struggled to keep up with the required run-rate from the start of their reply. Openers Tamim Iqbal (16) and Anamul Haque (18) scored at just under a run a ball before they departed in quick succession.

And when Shamsur Rahman and captain Mushfiqur Rahim were sent back to the pavilion to leave them 47-4 in the 10th over, the hosts looked set for a drubbing.

However, Shakib Al Hasan struck 38 from 32 balls before he was caught and bowled by Gul.

Nasir Hossain (23) edged Bangladesh towards the 100 mark before Mahmudullah (17 not out) and Mortaza (17 not out) gave the crowd some entertainment with the total beyond them.

Pakistan captain Hafeez said: "Shehzad has all the shots and we know he is very capable.

"We have given him our support and he has shown the talent he has in this match."

Bangladesh counterpart Rahim felt his side's pace attack cost them a chance of victory.

"Two overs cost nearly 60 runs and that cost us the game," he said. "The spinners bowled really well but they weren't backed up.

"When you are chasing, you need one of the top four to be there at the end. We have one more game and will try really hard."