Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 71 runs in the opening match of the Kitply Cup in Dhaka.

Pakistan eased to a 70-run victory over Bangladesh in a rain-affected opening match of the tri-series on Sunday.

Mohammad Ashraful won a good toss for Bangladesh, but his bowlers failed to exploit damp conditions, with Salman Butt and Mohammad Yousuf both cracking half-centuries as Pakistan were bowled out for 233 in 39.3 overs.

With play reduced to 40 overs a side, Bangladesh needed to score at nearly six an over but never came close, only Ashraful (56 not out) making a meaningful contribution in his side's 163 for eight.

Butt and Kamran Akmal gave Pakistan a steady start and posted 75 runs for the opening wicket before debutant Dolar Mahmud effected the breakthrough.

He got rid of Akmal (25), who yet again squandered a good start.

The introduction of left-arm spinner Abdur Razzaq and leg-spinner Alok Kapali briefly stemmed the flow or runs as they picked up three wickets apiece.

A quickfire half-century from Yousuf (59 off 56 balls) and a cameo from Misbah-ul-Haq (39 off 22 balls), however, got Pakistan past the 200-run mark.

Butt top scored with 70 off 84 deliveries.

Opener Tamim Iqbal (29) helped Bangladesh off to a steady, if slow start, against the wayward Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir.

Shahid Afridi and medium-pacer Wahab Riaz, however, instigated the Bangladesh collapse by picking up quick wickets soon after they were introduced.

Wahab claimed three for 18 from eight overs, while Riaz finished with three for 22 from seven.

Gul returned to bag a brace as Pakistan brought Bangladesh's run chase to a grinding halt.

Tanvir, leading wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League, returned wicketless. His eight over cost Pakistan 41 runs.

Pakistan came into the series with 11 straight victories behind them. They had beaten Bangladesh and Zimbabwe by 5-0 margins earlier this year, adding those victories to another over India in Jaipur.

Pakistan take on India in the next match of the tournament on Tuesday.