Desk Report:
Was the target of 136 runs too big to win? Not at all. But the restlessness shown by the Bangladesh batsmen from the beginning in this medium-quality chase, and the sacrifices they made while chasing balls outside the stumps, made those who watched the match realize that this team still has a lot to learn!
Despite losing 5 wickets for 49 runs, Pakistan turned around and scored 135 runs. But despite scoring 63 runs for 5 wickets in the medium-quality chase, Bangladesh was trapped for 124 runs and lost the match by 11 runs. With this loss, Bangladesh exited the tournament. Pakistan became India’s partner in the final. The final will be in Dubai next Sunday. This is the first time that the two arch-rivals have faced each other in the final of this continental tournament.
Opener Parvez Hossain Emon was out while pulling a ball outside the off-stump. The first wicket fell in the first over. Then, when Towhid Hridoy (5) disappointed the team in the fifth over, it was still unclear whether a worse situation awaited them ahead. After Hridoy, Saif Hasan (18), Mehedi Hasan (11), Nurul Hasan Sohan (16) and Zaker Ali Anik (5) departed one by one.
When Zaker was out in 13.5 overs, Bangladesh were 73 for 6. The run rate was 5.21. The required run rate increased to 10.50. 63 runs were needed in 36 balls. With all the tested batters already gone, Bangladesh’s defeat was a matter of time. Shamim Hossain Patwary scored 30 runs in 25 balls, but Bangladesh could not score more than 124 runs for 9 wickets.
Although the margin of defeat was only 11 runs, Bangladesh never looked like they were in a position to win the target. In the ninth wicket partnership, Mustafizur Rahman (6 *) and Rishad Hossain (16 *) added an unbroken 23-run stand in 14 balls – this match was very easy to win! Sayem and Shaheen took three wickets each for Pakistan.
Earlier, Pakistan batted first and scored 135 runs for 8 wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Although the score was not very big at first glance, the disaster that Pakistan managed to score this score is commendable!
Pakistan lost its grip early on in the face of the tight bowling of Bangladesh bowlers. Taskin Ahmed dismissed Sahibzada Farhan (4) in the first over. Sheikh Mehedi Hasan dismissed Sayem Ayub (0) in the second over. Before overcoming this initial shock, Bangladesh bowlers dismissed Fakhar Zaman (13) and Hussain Talat (3). This is not the end, captain Salman Ali Aga (19) also returned in the 11th over. Mustafizur Rahman’s ball touched Salman Ali Aga’s bat and went into the gloves of Zaker Ali behind the wicket. The bowlers and fielders appealed, but the umpire did not give out. However, Bangladesh won on review. When Salman Agha returned after 19 runs off 23 balls, Pakistan’s score was 49/5!
Then it was a story of resistance with small contributions from Pakistani batters. Mohammad Haris, who came to the wickets at number six and eight, scored 31 and Nawaz 25, and Pakistan capitalized on 135 runs.
Taskin Ahmed was the most successful with the ball; he took 3 wickets for 28 runs. Sheikh Mehedi and Rishad Hossain took 2 wickets each.
India-Pakistan final in Dubai on Sunday. This is the first time in 41 years that the two arch-rivals are going to face each other in the final of the Asia Cup.
