Bengali Tigers to face Green-shirts in Asia Cup final

Bengali Tigers continued their giant-killing act and defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in the last league match, knocking India out of the Asia Cup.

In quite a historic triumph, Bangladesh entered the Asia Cup final for the first time after it consigned the Sri Lankan team to a third successive defeat via the Duckworth-Lewis method at the Shere Bangla, in Dhaka.

The Bengali Tigers chased a target of 212 for victory in 40 overs in a rain-affected game, thanks to half-centuries by Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal.

After having upset both finalists from last year’s World Cup, Bangladesh will face Pakistan in the final game.

The Indian team paid the price for their stunning crush by Bangladesh which sent them out on the teams’ head-to-head record.

India, the world champions required a Sri Lankan victory to qualify for the title-game but now will have to pack their bags and return home.

After limiting Sri Lanka to 232 in 49.5 overs, the Bengali Tigers were incapacitated by a mid-innings rainstorm which cut down the winning target to 212 but increased the required run rate from 40 overs.

Bengali opening batsman, Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan exhibited an outstanding comeback, scoring 76 runs for the fourth wicket in just 72 bowls.

Apparently the two in-form cricketers were playing sensible game before Iqbal fell to off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake.

In the very next over, the off-spinner trapped Shakib to deal another blow to the host team in a crucial phase of the encounter.

However, Mahmudullah and Hossain kept their cool minds and in the end finished the job with 17 balls to standby.

Earlier fast bowler Nazmul Hossain, playing his first match in the competition, produced a brilliant opening spell which earned him the prized scalps of Mahela Jayawardene (five), Tillakaratne Dilshan (19) and Kumar Sangakkara (six).

Nazmul, who finished with three for 32, was complemented by his opening partner and former skipper Mashrafe Mortaza who gave away just 13 runs in his first spell of six overs.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Mar 20 2012. Filed under Latest News, Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.