The unresolved mysteries behind the Asia Cup 2012

India wins against Pakistan, Bangladesh wins the final and visits Pakistan for the ODI series ??

The 11^th edition of the four-nation Asia Cup started on March 11^th, 2012. The first match was played against Team Pakistan and Team Bangladesh.

Pakistan posted a victory over the host team after a nail-biter that went on to the 49^th over. Bangladesh was on the verge of upsetting the much stronger side Pakistan but the magic of Umer Gul did wonders for the Green side.

He made a healthy contribution both with the bat and the ball and Pakistan opened its winning account posting a 21 run victory over Bangladesh.

The second match was probably one of the only two games of the tour so far that went smoothly without raising any eye brows. The ODI World Champions India overcame Sri Lanka with an easy victory of 50 runs.

Team Pakistan played its second and the tours third match against the former World Champion Team Sri Lanka. It easily achieved the relatively low total set by Sri Lanka (188) with 6 wickets in hand.

The fourth match was held between the reigning World Champions Team India against Team Bangladesh. The highlight of the match was 100^th ton by probably one of the best cricketer ever produced by India, Sachin Tendulkar.

He took a bit of a time to hit the landmark but finally managed to achieve 114 runs on 147 balls which is relatively slow to his standards.

India managed to post 289 runs on the board and its week bowling was once again exposed. The host side achieved the total with 4 balls to spare and the tournament was thrown open.

The most awaited game of the tour was the game between India and Pakistan scheduled on March 18^th. The Green shirts posted a mighty total of 329 runs on the board and were confident to drive home safely considering its strong bowling line up.

However, Team India had different plans. Virat Kohli was one man who almost single handed stole the show with his 183 on just 148 balls. Team India achieved a big target with 13 balls to spare.

India won the game but Team Pakistan had already qualified for the finals with two victories and a bonus point against Sri Lanka in its bag.

The last league match was against Team Bangladesh and Team Sri Lanka and it was imperative upon the host side to claim the victory in order to qualify for the finals.

Sri Lankan side started off slowly with its top three batsmen walking back to the pavilion cheaply. It managed to post a small total of 232 runs.

The match was delayed because of rain and Mr. Duckworth-Lewis came into play. The total was reduced to 212 runs and the host side was asked to complete the honours in 40 overs.

Team Bangladesh unbelievably conquered a strong Sri Lankan bowling attack and qualified for the finals with a 5 wicket win in front of the fully-packed home crowd at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.

Team Bangladesh will now play Team Pakistan during on March 22^nd.

The astrologers, the magicians, the fortune-tellers and the book keepers have ruled Team Bangladesh as favourites for the final. It has been said that the host side will prevail over Team Pakistan during the seventh match of the Asia Cup 2012.

It will include Pakistan in its celebrations and will visit the country for the scheduled ODI series which is currently pending because of unavailability of Match Officials as per ICC.

Team India has already succeeded during the biggest match of the tour against Pakistan and its elimination from the final will go un-noticed across the nation.

The home nation will have a lot to cheer after winning the final and there is nothing more important for Pakistan than the recommence of International Cricket.

The question however remains about Team Sri Lanka but then it is just a rumour, at least until Thursday, March 22^nd, 2012.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=16557

Posted by Ahmed Babar on Mar 20 2012. Filed under Latest News, Opinion, Pakistan, South Asia, Sports, World. 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.