Bangladesh thrash Pakistan to enter Asia Cup fil

Mirpur (Bangladesh), March 2: Bangladesh produced a superb all–round performance to outclass Pakistan by five wickets in their Twenty20 clash to enter the fil of the Asia Cup at the Sher–e–Bangla tiol Stadium here on Wednesday.

Hosts Bangladesh will meet India in the fil on Sunday. Pakistan’s hope of making it to the Asia Cup fil has been dashed.

Batting first, Pakistan scored 129/7 in 20 overs.

In reply, Soumya Sarkar struck an impressive 48 as Bangladesh successfully chased the target scoring 131/5 in 19.1 overs.

Chasing a challenging target of 130, the home side got off to a good start with openers Tamim Iqbal (7) and Sarkar striking the ball quite well to stay ahead in the run chase.

Mohammad Irfan brought in the first breakthrough for Pakistan by taking the wicket of Iqbal.

But Sarkar played some good shots, hitting one six and five fours, to help team to a comfortable position. He was well accompanied by Sabbir Rahman (14) and Mushfiqur Rahim (12).

However, after the dismissal of both the batsmen, incoming batsmen Mahmudullah (22 not out) and Mashrafe Mortaza (12 not out) held on till the end to steer the home side to victory.

Earlier opting to bat, Pakistan got off to a disappointing start, losing first three batsmen for just 18 runs within five overs.

Incoming batsman Sarfraz Ahmed (58 not out) and Umar Akmal (4) aimed to take charge of the game thereof, but Akmal stay in the crease was cut short by pacer Taskin Ahmed. Pakistan were reduced to 28–4 in the ninth over.

But young Sarfraz and experienced Shoaib Malik (41) held on to add some crucial runs to help Pakistan cross the 90–run mark.

But Bangladesi bowlers came back well to take wickets of Malik and skipper Shahid Afridi (0) to not allow Pakistan cross the 130–run mark.

Al–Amin Hossain (3–25) and Arafat Sunny (2–35) were the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers. (IANS)

Scoreboard

Pakistan innings :    Khurram Manzoor     c Mushfiqur Rahim b Al–Amin Hossain 1 , Sharjeel Khan  b Arafat Sunny 10, Mohammad Hafeez     lbw b Mashrafe Mortaza 2, Sarfraz Ahmed not out 58, Umar Akmal c Shakib Al Hasan b Taskin Ahmed 4, Shoaib Malik  c Sabbir Rahman b Arafat Sunny 41, Shahid Afridi c Sabbir Rahman b Al–Amin Hossain  0, Anwar Ali c Sabbir Rahman b Al–Amin Hossain 13, Extras     : 0, Total:  129/7 (20 over), Fall of wickets: 1–1,  2–12, 3–18, 4–28 , 5–98, 6–102, 7–129  Bowling: Taskin Ahmed 4–1–14–1, Al–Amin Hossain 4–0 –25–3,Arafat Sunny 4–0–35–2, Mashrafe Mortaza  4–0–29–1, Shakib Al Hasan 4–0–26–0     

Bangladesh innings : Tamim Iqbal  lbw b Mohammad Irfan 7, Soumya Sarkar  b Mohammad Amir 48, Sabbir Rahman     b Shahid Afridi 14, Mushfiqur Rahim lbw b Shoaib Malik  12, Shakib Al Hasan b Mohammad Amir  8, Mahmudullah not out 22, Mashrafe Mortaza not out 1, Extras : 8, Total: 131/5 (19.1 over), Fall of wickets: 1–13, 2–46, 3–83, 4–88, 5–104, Bowling: Mohammad Amir 4–0–26–2,  Mohammad Irfan  4 –0–23, Mohammad Sami  4–0–30–0, Shahid Afridi  4–0–20–1,  Anwar Ali 2.1–0–25–0, Shoaib Malik 1–0–3–1.