Pakistan halted Scotland's giant-killing heroics with a 48-run victory over the minnows in a Twenty20 clash in Edinburgh on Tuesday.
Having taken out the world's top one-day international side with a historic win over England on Sunday, the Scots were looking to complete a stunning double by toppling a Pakistan team rated as the top Twenty20 nation.
Super skipper! Sarfraz Ahmed blasts his T20I best 89* to power Pakistan to an imposing 204/4 at the Grange! How will Scotland respond?#SCOvPAK LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/DG8VvkRjbW pic.twitter.com/kDwbxYXh9Y
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2018
But Grant Bradburn's side were unable to emulate their epic success thanks to solid Pakistan display.
The hosts' run chase went flat as Scotland finished on 156 for six in response to Pakistan's 204 for four at the Grange.
Pakistan win the 1st T20I in Edinburgh! Scotland stumble in the second half of their innings, Pakistan's spinners helping restrict the hosts to 156/6 after Sarfraz's 89* set up a 48 run win! #SCOvPAK scorecard ➡️ https://t.co/DG8VvkRjbW pic.twitter.com/oa8THV6frN
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2018
Scotland had made a bright start, with Ali Evans dismissing Ahmed Shehzad (14) and Fakhar Zaman (21) before Richie Berrington removed Hussain Talat (18).
Last night's victory against Scotland was Sarfraz Ahmed's 18th as Pakistan T20I captain - no-one has a better win percentage as captain! #howzstat #SCOvPAK pic.twitter.com/nA1ywiF8co
— ICC (@ICC) June 13, 2018
But they could have done with debutant spinner Hamza Tahir was given a bruising introduction as he was smashed for 57 costly runs off his four overs.
Having set a steady rate in the early stages, Pakistan put their foot on the gas 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 hitting 53 from 27 deliveries.
Pakistan close out big win over Scotland!https://t.co/hXcZHwnkYi #SCOvPAK pic.twitter.com/ocyqmQtgyl
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 12, 2018
That left the Scots requiring a repeat of the big-hitting which saw them run up a tally of 371 for five against England.
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.
Edinburgh witnessed a Sarfraz special as Scotland could not stop Pakistan from romping to a 48 run win at The Grange, with the second and final match of the series to take place tomorrow.#SCOvPAK REPORT ➡️ https://t.co/X4YHjEaSsF pic.twitter.com/nSSu3RuEx0
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2018
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.
Scotland will have a second chance to shock Pakistan when the teams meet again on Wednesday.