Sabbir Hossain :Bangladesh stormed into the final of the Asia Cup Twenty defeating Pakistan by five wickets in their last league match at the flood-lit Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.Electing to bat first, Pakistan scored 129 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.In reply, the Tigers sailed home making 131 for the loss of five wickets remaining with five balls.Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina witnessed the entertaining final at the gallery of the arena.Bangladesh had a sorrow start as opener Tamim Iqbal (7) was trapped leg before wicket by Mohammad Irfan when Bangladesh’s score was 13.Then Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman repaired the early damage contributing together 33 runs for the second wicket partnership before Sabbir Rahman (14) was bowled out by Shahid Afridi when the team’s total was 46 for the loss of two wickets.Then Soumya Sarkar and Mushfiqur Rahim built another notable partnership. They added together 37 runs before Soumya was bowled out by Mohammad Amir when the Tigers total was 83 for the loss of three wickets.Soumya hit a run-a-ball 48 including five fours and a sixer.Then Mushfiqur Rahim (12) could stay at the crease for a short period as he was trapped leg before wicket by Shoaib Malik when the hosts’ score was 88 for the loss of four wickets.After dismissal of Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan (8) also failed to shine with willow as he was bowled out by Mohammad Amir when Bangladesh’s score was 104 for the loss of five wickets.Then Mahmudullah Riyad and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza salvaged their team and played the key role for much-awaited victory.Riyad remained unbeaten with 22. He hit two fours and one sixer in his 15-ball innings.Mashrafe remained undefeated with 12. he hit two fours in his seven-ball knock.Mohammad Amir was the peak of the Pakistani bowlers. He got two wickets for 26 runs.Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Irfan and Shahid Afridi took one wicket apiece.Bangladeshi bowlers dominated over the Pakistani batsmen. Thus they could make a modest total.Pakistan faced an early debacle as they lost their early four wickets for 28 runs.Then Sarfraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik built a worthy partnership. They put on together 78 runs for the fifth wicket stand before Shoaib Malik was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Sabbir Rahman off Arafat Sunny when Pakistan’s score was 98 for the loss of five wickets.Sarfraz Ahmed remained undefeated with 58. He hit five fours and two sixes in his 42-ball innings.Shoaib Malik hit 41 from 30 balls featuring five fours and a sixer.After dismissal of Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi (0) was caught at the deep mid-wicket by Sabbir Rahman off Al-Amin Hossain when Pakistan’s total was 102 for the loss of six wickets.Then Sarfraz Ahmed and Anwar Ali added 27 runs for the seventh wicket stand before Anwar Ali (13) was dismissed by Arafat Sunny when Pakistan’s innings came to an end. Al-Amin Hossain grabbed three wickets at the cost of 25 runs while Arafat Sunny bagged a pair of wickets instead of 35 runs.Besides, Taskin Ahmed and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza took one wicket each for 14 and 29 runs respectively.
