Pakistan win Asia Cup by 2 runs

Bangladesh proved themselves worthy competitors on the world ODI stage when, after forcing their way into the final of the Asia Cup, they took Pakistan down to the wire with a win-or-lose last-ball result.

Unfortunately for the ‘Deshies it went the way of Pakistan. Needing four for victory with two balls remaining, Abdur Razzak  tried to glance a ball towards third man for that elusive four but the ball clipped his off stump as it came off the bat, leaving the new man Shahadat Hossain  to face the final delivery needing a four for victory.

Hossain wasn’t up to the task taking a single and giving Pakistan the Asia Cup by two runs.

Earlier Bangladesh won the toss and chose to field and it paid dividends with Nasir Jamshed  and Younis Khan back in the hut for 19 runs.

Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq  was next to go for 13 and Pakistan looked to be in trouble at 55/3, but opener  Mohammad Hafeez 40 and keeper Sarfraz Ahmed 46* kept the partnerships going as the Pakistani’s added 236/9 in their 50 overs.

Tamim Iqbal and Nazimuddin got Bangladesh off to a great start, adding 68 before losing Nazimuddin and  Jahurul Islam at that score – 68/2. After Iqbal went for 60, Nasir Hossain and Shakib Al Hasan then took the score to 170/4 and it looked as if the ‘Deshies were going to win this one, but with the pressure mounting the wickets fell at regular intervals until it got down the the last ball.

An excellent competition, showing that the isolation of Pakistan as a cricketing venue has not detracted from their ability to play the game at the highest level and well done to the minnows, Bangladesh who can certainly hold their heads up high  — David Blood, SportsCentral

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