MIRPUR, March 22 (PTI): Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by two runs in the final to win the Asia Cup cricket tournament at the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium here today.
In spite of Tamin Iqbal�s 60 and Shakib Al-Hasan�s 68, Pakistan managed to skittle out the hosts for 234. Pakistan�s Aizaz Cheema picked up three wickets and Saeed Ajmal took 2.
Earlier, Bangladesh produced a fine bowling display before a late burst propelled Pakistan to 236 for nine in the final of the Asia Cup cricket tournament, here today.
After recording two upsets in the form India and Sri Lanka already in the event, giant-killers Bangladesh are in with a golden opportunity to create history by halting Pakistan within a reachable target.
But if not for some lacklustre bowling by Shahdat Hossain towards the end and useful contributions from Shahid Afridi (32) and wicket-keeper Sarfaraz Ahmed (46 not out), the target could have been much lower for Bangladesh. Shahdat gave away 19 runs in the final over of the innings and was guilty of bowling two no-balls, which not only boosted Pakistan�s score but also their confidence.
Young Sarfaraz top-scored for Pakistan with an unbeaten 46, while Shahid Afridi played a 22-ball 32-run cameo to wriggle Pakistan out of trouble.
Mohammad Hafeez (40), Umar Akmal (30) and Hammad Azam (30) all failed to capitalise on good starts.
For Bangaldesh, experienced pacer Mashrafe Mortaza (2/48)), and spin duo of Abdur Razak (2/26) and Shakib Al Hasan (2/39) scalped two wickets apiece, while Nazmul Hossain (1/36) and Mahmudullah (1/14) picked up one each. Shahdat conceded 63 runs off his nine overs. Backed by a partisan home crowd, Bangladesh made a dream start to their maiden Asia Cup title quest by striking early blows after inviting Pakistan to bat.
Experienced pacer Mortaza and his new-ball partner Nazmul picked up wicket apiece in consecutive overs to reduce Pakistan to 19 for two in 5.2 overs.
Left-handed opener Nasir Jamshed was the first Pakistani batsman to depart in the fifth over, handing a simple catch to Mahmudullah at cover of a slower delivery from Mortaza while trying to clear the in-field.
Five deliveries later, it turned out to be double celebrations for Bangladesh when Nazmul trapped veteran Younis Khan plumb in-front of the wicket.
Hafeez and captain Misbah-ul-Haq (13) tried to ressurect the innings with a 31-run stand before the latter perished in search of a tight single.
A brilliant Nazmul caught Misbah short of the crease at the non-striker�s end with a direct throw after the batsman hesitated in starting off the blocks for the single.
To make matters worse for Pakistan, Hafeez, who got a reprieve on seven, failed to capitalise on the chance after doing all the hardwork and fell on 10 runs short of his fifty. Hafeez was caught by Nazmul off Abdur Razzak at mid-on as he tried to break the shackles.
SCORECARD
Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez c Nazmul b Razzak 40, Nasir Jamshed c Mahmudullah b Mortaza 9, Younis Khan lbw b Nazmul 1, Misbah-ul-Haq run out 13, Umar Akmal c Rahim b Mahmudullah 30, Hammad Azam c & b Shakib 30, Shahid Afridi c Nasir b Shakib 32, Sarfraz Ahmed not out 46, Umar Gul c Shakib b Mortaza 4, Saeed Ajmal b Razzak 4, Aizaz Cheema not out 9. Extras: (B-2, LB-8, NB-4, W-4) 18. Total: (for nine wickets in 50 overs) 236. Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-19, 3-55, 4-70, 5-129, 6-133, 7-178, 8-199, 9-206. Bowling: Mortaza 10-0-48-2, Nazmul 8-1-36-1, Razzak 10-3-26-2, Shahadat 9-0-63-0, Shakib 10-1-39-2, Mahmudullah 3-0-14-1.
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal c Younis Khan b Umar Gul 60, Nazimuddin c Younis Khan b Shahid Afridi 16, Jahurul Islam c Younis Khan b Saeed Ajmal 0, Nasir Hossain c Misbah-ul-Haq b Umar Gul 28, Al Hasan b Aizaz Cheema 68, Mushfiqur Rahim c Nasir Jamshed b Aizaz Cheema 10, Mahmudullah not out 17, Mashrafe Mortaza c Nasir Jamshed b Saeed Ajmal 18, Abdur Razzak b Aizaz Cheema 6, Shahadat Hossain not out 0. Extras: (lb 5, w 4, nb 2) 11. Total: (8 wickets; 50 overs) 234. Fall of wickets: 1-68, 2-68, 3-81, 4-170, 5-179, 6-190, 7-218, 8-233. Bowling: Md Hafeez 10-0-30-0, Umar Gul 10-2-65-2, Saeed Ajmal 10-2-40-2, Afridi 10-1-28-1, Aizaz Cheema 7-0-46-3, Hammad Azam 3-0-20-0.
