Bangladesh’s batting, which was 136 for the winners-take-all match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday, completely failed in front of Pakistan’s pace bowling attack, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi.
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After registering a mediocre total of 1385-8 in 20 overs, Afridi put on a strong fast bowling display by taking two wickets in his first two overs and delivering 3-17 in four overs, winning the match.
Bangladesh’s innings was wrapped up by fellow pacer Haris Rauf’s three own wickets, two of which were bowled by left-armed slow bowler Saim Ayub, who also bowled a tidy 2-16 over four overs.
Saif Hasan (18), Mahedi Hasan (11) and Nurul Hasan (16), both started for Bangladesh, but none of the batting positions held up long enough to sustain the team.
Bangladeshi fans were briefly hoped by late-rounder Shamim Hossain (30), but Pakistan quickly emerged as clear favorites to win the match.
As Bangladesh’s innings came to a close with 124-9 in 20 overs, Rishad Hossain, who had a strong showing with the ball and in the field, hit two fours and a six in his 16-over innings but kept losing batting partners.
Before, Pakistan’s stand-in captain Jaker Ali had already drafted the bat and the move almost immediately paid off as the Pakistani openers struggled to score runs.
Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed on the fourth ball of Pakistan’s innings as a result of Taskin Ahmed’s disciplined opening spell, while Mahedi was Mahedi’s one-up batter.
Although Fakhar Zaman (13) and Salman Agha (19), a quick and unhittable partnership, were unable to hit a single six.
In the seventh over, Rishad dismissed Zaman and sent Hussain Talat back, before returning with two more catches before going on to bowl. Between the two Rishad wickets, Mustafizur Rahman took the loss for Pakistan, who dropped to 49-5.
On a challenging Dubai pitch, Mohammad Haris (31 off 17), Muhammad Nawaz (25 off 15), and Afridi (29 off 13) led Pakistan to 135-8.
Afridi’s all-around heroics earned him the title of “player of the match.”
Before Sunday’s final against bitter rivals India, Pakistan will be especially pleased to see their top pace bowler return to winning ways.
India and its neighbors in South Asia have already met twice in the tournament, both of which ended decisively.
The first India-Pakistan matchup in the Asia Cup final since it first started in 1984 will take place on Sunday, which will also take place in Dubai.
In both of the teams’ previous two meetings this month, political standoffs have erupted and tensions have risen on the cricket field.
With the trophy in hand, fans can anticipate another politically charged game.
