Bangladesh make final after beating Pakistan

MUSHFIQUR Rahim scored a fighting 99 to guide Bangladesh into the Asia Cup final with a convincing 37-run win over Pakistan on Wednesday.

The former skipper missed out a deserving century but still lifted Bangladesh from a precarious 12-3 to 239 all out in 49.5 overs before they kept Pakistan down to 202-9 in 50 overs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Mashrafe Mortaza’s team will now face champions India in the final in Dubai on Friday, with an opportuntiy to win the continental title for the first time.

Bangladesh’s victory will upset millions of fans around the world who wanted another Indo-Pak clash as the two matches in the first and second round failed to live up to their billing, with India winning both in one-sided affairs.

But Bangladesh were worthy winners on Wednesday.

Bangladesh bowled with discipline in Abu Dhabi, with left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman leading the pack with 4-43 as Pakistan yet again batted poorly with only opener Imam-ul-Haq fighting hard through a laborious 105ball 82.

Imam, who hit two fours and a six, held the innings together and added 67 for the fourth wicket with Shoaib Malik (30) and another 71 for the seventh wicket with Asif Ali (31).

However, both Imam and Asif fell in successive overs to give Bangladesh only their fifth win over Pakistan in 36 one-day internationals.

Pakistan got off to a disastrous start when opener Fakhar Zaman holed out off the fifth delivery of the first over, caught off spinner Mehidy Hasan.

Left-armer Mustafizur then removed Babar Azam (one) and captain Sarfraz Ahmed (10) to leave Pakistan in tatters at 18-3 before Malik and Imam brought some solidity in the chase.

Mortaza praised an all our effort, despite missing star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan through injury.

“The bowlers did a good job, especially when we didn’t get the runs,” said Mashrafe. But Mushi and Mithun batted really well and got us to a fighting total.”