BANGALORE — All-rounders Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik steered Pakistan to a five-wicket victory over their arch-rival India in the first Twenty20 International here at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Tuesday. Chasing 134, Pakistan made a disastrous start losing three wickets for only 12 runs to debutant all-rounder Bhuvneshwar Kumar. However, skipper Hafeez and Malik batted sensibly to repair the damage and added 106 runs for the fourth wicket partnership. Hafeez made 61, his third T20I fifty while Malik, who completed his fourth T20 half-century, remained not out on 57. Earlier, Pakistan bowlers restricted India to 133-9 after their captain Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and decided to field first. Indian openers Gautam Gambhir and Ajikya Rahane batted cautiously and gradually enhanced the run rate. Both the openers provided a fine start of 77 before Rahane was removed by leg-spinner Shahid Afridi for 42, facing 31 balls and hitting five boundaries and a six. Later, Gambhir was also dismissed, run out through an impressive throw by Sohail Tanvir for 43. These two were the only top scoring batsmen as none of the latter batsmen could make any significant contribution. Only two other batsmen — Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina — could reach the double figures. Both made ten each. For Pakistan, pace bowler Umar Gul captured three for 21 while off-break bowler Saeed Ajmal bagged two for 25. Afridi and debutant fast bowler Mohammad Irfan took one wicket each. Heightened security Police were out in full force in Bangalore Tuesday as part of a massive security operation as Pakistan's first cricket tour of India for five years got under way. Iron barricades were lined up and riot control vehicles put on duty as security men patrolled the stadium in the heart of Bangalore. “We have completely sanitised and secured the stadium,” a security officer on duty said. Police were seen carrying out heavy frisking at the imposing stadium gates with as many as 200 surveillance cameras mounted on mastheads for constant monitoring of all activity in and around the ground. Ticket-holders, who were asked to queue up at least three hours in advance, complained about the stifling security. A crack police force, including Indian army commandos, was also guarding the luxury ITC Gardenia hotel, where both teams are staying. The teams are set to play another Twenty20 match in Ahmedabad followed by three one-day matches during the short series, which is the first since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. — Agencies
