MIRPUR, March 4 (PTI): Pakistan today pulled off a thrilling three-wicket victory over hosts Bangladesh to storm into the finals of the Asia Cup cricket tournament, completely knocking India out of the title race.
Opener Ahmed Shehzad blasted a 123-ball 103 to set the foundation for a record chase but it was Shahid Afridi�s blistering 59 off 25 balls which helped Pakistan set up a summit clash against Sri Lanka.
With this victory, Pakistan grabbed four points to aggregate 13 with the help of three victories in four matches. India, on the other hand, are currently with four points and even a win against Afghanistan tomorrow won�t be enough for Virat Kohli�s men to reach the finals.
Mohammad Hafeez (52) and Fawad Alam (74) too blasted scintillating half-centuries to help Pakistan overhaul Bangladesh�s record score of 326 for 3 in their stipulated 50 overs at the Shere Bangla National Stadium here.
For Bangladesh, Mominul Haque (2/37) was the highest wicket taker, while Shakib Al Hasan, Abdur Razzak and Mahmudullah scalped one each.
SCORECARD
Bangladesh: Anamul Haque c Shehzad b Ajmal 100, Imrul Kayes c Akmal b Talha 59, Mominul Haque c Hafeez b Ajmal 51, Mushfiqur Rahim not out 51, Shakib Al Hasan not out 44. Extras: (LB-3, W-15, NB-3) 21. Total: (For 3 wkts; 50 overs) 326. Fall of wickets: 1-150, 2-204, 3-249. Bowling: Mohammad Hafeez 10-0-27-0, Umar Gul 10-1-76-0, Abdul Rehman 0-0-8-0, Fawad Alam 2-0-12-0, Mohammad Talha 7-0-68-1, Saeed Ajmal 10-0-61-2, Shahid Afridi 10-0-64-0, Sohaib Maqsood 1-0-7-0.
Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad b Abdur Razzak 103, Mohammad Hafeez c Imrul Kayes b Mominul Haque 52, Misbah-ul-Haq b Shakib Al Hasan 4, Sohaib Maqsood c Anamul Haque b Mominul Haque 2, Fawad Alam run out 74, Abdur Rehman c Ziaur Rahman b Mahmudullah 8, Shahid Afridi run out 59, Umar Akmal not out 14, Umar Gul not out 0. Extras: (b 1, lb 3, w 9) 13. Total: (7 wickets; 49.5 overs) 329. Fall of wickets: 1-97, 2-102, 3-105, 4-210, 5-225, 6-294, 7-325. Bowling: Shafiul Islam 5-0-49-0, Al-Amin Hossain 6.5-0-50-0, Shakib Al Hasan 10-2-53-1, Abdur Razzak 9-0-72-1, Mominul Haque 9-1-37-2, Mahmudullah 7-1-47-1, Nasir Hossain 3-0-17-0.
