A spirited Bangladesh, on Wednesday, continued their giant-killing act with a stunning five-wicket win over Pakistan in a low-scoring thriller to set up a title clash against India in the final of Asia Cup T20 cricket tournament.
Bangladesh won the match in 19.1 overs with Mahmudullah Riyadh (22 not out off 15 balls) and Mashrafe Mortaza (12 off 7 balls) adding 27 in only 1.5 overs to help the hosts overwhelm the target with five balls to spare.
Needing 130 to win, Bangladesh’s chase anchored for most part by Soumya Sarkar who scored 48 of as many balls. He hit 5 fours and 1 six in the course of his innings.
However, it was a tense final few overs for Bangladesh towards the end as they withered the storm off Mohammed Amir (2/26 in 4 overs) after they looked in trouble at 104 for 5 in 17.2 overs.
In came skipper Mortaza in the 18th over. The skipper hit two back-to-back boundaries off Amir which swung the match in favour of Bangladesh.
With Bangladesh requiring 18 off the last two overs, Mohammed Sami had Mortaza caught at long-off but to Pakistan’s horror, it was called a no-ball as Sami has committed the cardinal sin of overstepping. It was final nail in the coffin for Pakistan’s hope of qualifying for the final.
Earlier, Sarfraz Ahmed’s composed unbeaten knock of 58 saw Pakistan get to a par score of 129 for seven in 20 overs after Shahid Afridi elected to bat.
Al Amin Hossain (3/25) was the most successful bowler while left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny chipped in with two wickets.
It was yet another disastrous start by the Pakistanis, who were reduced to 28 for four but Sarfraz along with Shoaib Malik (41) repaired the damage.
Sarfraz hit five fours and two sixes in his 42-ball knock, while Malik had five boundaries and a six during his 30 balls innings.
Soumya Sarkar was awarded Man of the Match for his run a ball 48.
Bangladesh tigers will now face Team India in the final of Asia Cup on 6 March.
(With PTI inputs)
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