Karachi, Apr 20: Misbah-ul-Haq turned in another spectacular performance in the game's shortest format, smashing an unbeaten 87 to drive Pakistan to a massive 203 in their one-off Twenty20 match against Bangladesh in Karachi.

In the first Twenty20 international to be held in Pakistan, Shoaib Malik's decision to bat first seemed to have gone awry when in-form openers Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal were both dismissed in the first over. Bangladesh's joy was shortlived, however, as Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq made light of the loss of wickets to propel Pakistan to 84 for 2 by the end of the ninth over.

Both batsmen used their feet well to unsettle the bowlers and complemented their big hits with superb running between the wickets to keep Pakistan on course for a big total. Younis was the more aggressive of the two, racing along to 47 with the help of some effortless cuts and drives before falling to the first ball from Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's best performer through the series.

Even that wicket couldn't stem the scoring rate as Shoaib Malik biffed some huge sixes before being stumped off Abdur Razzaq for a quickfire 35. It's not often that the fall of the home side's captain is greeted by a huge roar, but it was this time as local boy Shahid Afridi walked out. However, much to the fans' disappointment, his stay was a short one, bowled by Shahadat Hossain as he looked to clobber the ball over midwicket.

The star of the innings, though, was Misbah, who again demonstrated how Twenty20 isn't all about power-hitting as he combined impeccably-timed hits with brisk running. With the ropes pulled in, the boundaries were short and Misbah capitalised with five sixes, all on the leg side. This was the highest score by a Pakistan batsman in a Twenty20 international and it took the hosts to their biggest total in this format.

The Bangladesh attack was made to look innocuous and their fielding, despite a few spectacular efforts, was generally below par. After a dismal performance in the one-dayers, this is Bangladesh's last chance to salvage some pride, but despite a batting paradise of a pitch, a successful run-chase looks like a tall order.