Pakistan becomes triumphant in Asia Cup

The Green-shirts held their nerve to win a thrilling Asia Cup final against Bangladesh by two runs, denying the hosts their first major trophy.

The host team’s hope of winning their maiden Asia Cup title was spoiled by the Pakistani bowlers who restricted hosts two short of the winning target.

Chasing 237, The Bengali tigers got off to a brisk start as Tamim Iqbal and Nazimuddin took the hosts past 50-mark without allowing Pakistan any success. Iqbal scored his fourth consecutive half ton to keep Pakistani bowlers at bay.

But against the run of flow, Pakistan slightly managed to claw back into the match with two quick wickets of Nazimuddin and Jahurul Islam. Ajmal spell magic to scalp Islam at the score of 68.

Pakistan pacer Umar Gul got rid of Tamim Iqbal (60) after his solid show to rattle Bangladesh after a brisk start while he got Iqbal caught by Younis Khan to reduce Bangladesh to 81/3 in 24^th over.

With two new batsmen – Nasir Hossain (28) and Shakib Al Hasan (68) on the field, Pakistan tightened the screw to dry up the runs for the hosts.

The two batsmen build up a steady partnership and took Bangladesh to 153 for three in 40 overs. Shakib brought up his fifty with a lofted shot over midwicket for a boundary in the next over.

Needing 77 runs off 54 balls, the left-hander then changed gears and blasted Cheema for the first six of the Bangladeshi innings over deep midwicket.

However, Gul dismissed Nasir Hossain in the next over to derail their chase. Looking for a pull, Nasir ended up giving an easy catch to Misbah-ul-Haq at mid-wicket.

Shakib picked up another boundary with a scoop over short fine leg but Cheema got rid off the batsman in the 44^th over when, looking to play a per-determined shot at the fine leg area, he ended up losing his stumps.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Mar 22 2012. Filed under Latest News, Pakistan, 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.