Dhaka: Pakistan pulled of an absolute heist to win this game chasing 327 runs. Shehzad was the top run getter for Pakistan scoring a hundred. But it was Fawad Alam and Shahid Afridi’s heroics in the last 10 overs that brought Pakistan home. This win from Pakistan have ended India’s chances to play in the final.
Ahmed Shehzad scored a hundred and kept Pakistan on the track in their chase of 327. But after he got out, Afridi has taken control of the game scoring 37 runs in 13 balls by the end of 44 overs. Pakistan need 62 runs in last 6 overs to win this game and seal their place in the final of the Asia Cup.
After not losing any wickets in the first 10 overs, Pakitsna lost their way losing 3 in next 20. By the end of 30 overs, Pakistan scored 145 runs chasing the steep target of 327.
Pakistan opners Shehzad and Hafeez scored 48 runs in first 10 overs chasing 327. While the run-rate is on the lower side, these two made sure that Pakistan got a solid start.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakin Al Hasan scored 121 runs in the final 10 overs of Bangladesh inning to take their total to 326 runs in 50 overs. Shakib who was brought into the side after serving 3-match ban smashed 44 runs in 16 balls. Rahim scored 51 runs in 33 balls. Pakistan need to win this game to eliminate India out of the competition and qualify for the finals.
Bangladesh continued their good day with the bat as they crossed 250 in the 45th over of the game. With 5 overs to go and 7 wickets still in hand, Bangladesh would be aiming to reach 300 in the 50 overs.
After going wicketless for 150 runs, Pakistan got a breakthrough. Imrul Kayes charged down the wicket to hit one through the off-side but the slower one from Talah got better of him. But he and Amanul Haque added a solid foundation from where the Bangladesh middle-order should easily cross 280-run mark.
Bangladesh scored 67 runs between 11 to 20 overs. Anamul Haque reached his half century and Kayes crossd 30-run mark. Pakistan spinners — Ajmal, Afridi and Hafeez — failed to strangle the Bangladesh opners.
Bangladesh openers Imrul Kayes and Anamul Haque started Bangladesh inning cautiously scoring 40 runs in the first 10 overs. The score would have been lesser had Umar Gul did not leak runs in the 10th over of the match.
Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and decided to bat in a must-win Asia Cup match against Pakistan in Dhaka on Tuesday. Bangladesh have lost both their matches so far -- against India and Afghanistan -- and made five team changes in their bid to remain in the tournament.
Out went injured spinner Sohag Gazi, along with Shamsur Rahman, Arafat Sunny, Rubel Hossain and Naeem Islam. They were replaced by Shakib Al Hasan, Imrul Kayes, Shafiul Islam, Al-Amin Hossain and Mohammad Mahmudullah.
Pakistan, who need to win to meet Sri Lanka in Saturday's final, were forced to replace injured opener Sharjeel Khan with middle-order batsman Fawad Alam in their line-up which beat India by one wicket on Sunday. They also left out paceman Junaid Khan to include left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman in the side.
Teams:
Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Nasir Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Imrul Kayes, Shafiul Islam, Al-Amin Hossain, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Ziaur Rahman, Abdur Razzak.
Pakistan: Misbah-ul Haq (capt), Ahmed Shahzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Fawad Alam, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Talha.
