Pakistan become the Asian Champions after 12 years

Pakistan floored Bangladesh to lift their second Asia Cup after 12 years. The Green Shirts last won the competition in 2000, beating Srilanka in the final. It was a historic final against the hosts Bangladesh, who for the first time in their cricket history
reached the finals of any major tournament.

Pakistan defeated Bangladesh and Srilanka in the pool matches to make their way into the finals but lost to India by six wickets. Bengalis lost to Pakistan but swept aside India and Srilanka to set up a date with the Green Shirts.

Winning the toss for the fourth successive time and electing to bowl first, Bangladesh restricted Pakistan to 236/9 in their 50 overs with Shahadat Hossain conceding 19 runs in the last over that proved to a be the difference in the end.

Pakistan were off to a poor start and lost Nasir Jamshed and Younis Khan in quick succession. Misbah-ul-Haq tried to resurrect the innings but got himself run-out, followed by Mohammad Hafeez, who eventually lost his patience.

Umar Akmal and Hammad Azam played sensibly until Azam attempted a slog sweep of Shakib Al Hasan to leave Pakis five down. Akmal was unlucky as he was adjudged caught behind of Mahmudullah Riad when the ball clearly brushed his thigh pads.

Shahid Afridi and Sarfaraz Ahmed formed a decent partnership before Afridi skied a shot off Shakib to leave Sarfraz with a lot of work to be done. Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal soon followed Afridi before Aizaz Cheema and wicketkeeper Sarfraz took the score to
236.

Shakib and Nazmul Hasan and Abdur Razzak picked up two wickets each while Mashrafe Mortaza and Riad picked up one each.  One batsman got run-out courtesy of a direct throw from Nasir Hossain.

Bangladesh made a strong reply to their chase but Nazimuddin could not sustain the pressure and was caught by Younis off Afridi. Jahurul Islam followed his partner for 2 after being caught in the slips by Younis off Saeed Ajmal. Tamim Iqbal completed his
fourth successive half century but threw his wicket away for 54. He was also caught by Younis off Gul.

Shakib and Nasir were again involved in a decent partnership before Shakib saw his stumps uprooted by Cheema for 68. Nasir looped a catch to Misbah off Gul and skipper, Mushfiq ur Rahim was caught at the hands of Nasir Jamshed off Cheema.

Mortaza smacked three boundaries of Gul to bring the Tigers back in contention but Ajmal picked up his wicket to silence the crowds. Razzak was bowled round his legs attempting to clear the fine leg off Cheema leaving Bangladesh four to win of the last bowl.

Cheema yorked Shahadat to enable Pakistan to a two-run win and lift the Asia Cup. The whole of Shere Bangla National Stadium went in mourning and there were a lot of dejected faces in the crowds and in the home team’s dressing room.

Afridi was declared Man Of the Match while Shakib was given the Man of the Series award.

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Posted by Taha Habib on Mar 24 2012. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry