Scotland were unable to repeat their weekend heroics against England as Pakistan eased to a 48-run victory in Edinburgh.
Having taken out the world’s top one-day international side with Sunday’s historic win over the Auld Enemy, the Saltires were looking to complete a remarkable double by toppling the number-one ranked Twenty20 nation.
But Grant Bradburn’s men lacked the magic touch with the bat that they showed against the English as their run chase fizzled out, finishing on 156 for six in response to their opponents’ 204 for four.
There was a buoyant mood round the Grange following the Scots’ first victory of any kind against their neighbours.
And it looked promising again as the hosts got off to a reasonable start, with Ali Evans taking the scalps of Ahmed Shehzad (14) and Fakhar Zaman (21) before Richie Berrington dismissed Hussain Talat (18).
But they could have done with debutant spinner Hamza Tahir – cousin of Scottish record limited-overs wicket-taker Majid Haq – finding his feet at international level a bit quicker. As it was, the 22-year-old was given a bruising introduction as he was smashed for what turned out to be 57 costly runs off his four overs.
Sarfraz Ahmed starred with the bat for Pakistan.
Having set a steady rate in the early stages, Pakistan put the foot down in the final five overs.
Captain Sarfraz Ahmed led the way as he racked up an impressive unbeaten 89 from just 49 balls, with Shoaib Malik grabbing 53 from 27 deliveries before Evans claimed his third wicket.
That left the Scots requiring a repeat show of the display which saw them run up a tally of 371 for five against England.
But this time the sparkle had gone.
Openers George Munsey and Kyle Coetzer made a decent start in reply, notching 50 runs from the first five overs.
But the introduction of Hasan Ali to the Pakistan attack provided the injection of pace they were looking for and when he removed Munsey for 25, the Scots looked in trouble.
With Calum MacLeod, Sunday’s star of the show with his 140 not out knock, trapped lbw by Shadab Khan for just 12, the fight quickly drifted out of the hosts’ showing.
However, the Scots will have a second attempt against the tourists, with the teams meeting again on Wednesday.
