Asia Cup: Bangladesh beat Pakistan to set up India clash

ABU DHABI: Mushfiqur Rahim scored a fighting 99 to guide Bangladesh into the Asia Cup final with a convincing 37-run win over Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

By Web Desk

September 26, 2018

ABU DHABI: Mushfiqur Rahim scored a fighting 99 to guide Bangladesh into the Asia Cup final with a convincing 37-run win over Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

The former skipper missed out a deserving century but still lifted Bangladesh from a precarious 12-3 to 239 all out in 49.5 overs before they kept Pakistan down to 202-9 in 50 overs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Mashrafe Mortaza’s team will now face defending champions India in the final in Dubai on Friday, with an opportuntiy to win the continental title for the first time.

Bangladesh’s victory will upset millions of fans around the world who wanted another Indo-Pak clash as the two matches in the first and second round failed to live up to their billing, with India winning both in one-sided affairs.

But Bangladesh were worthy winners on Wednesday.

Bangladesh bowled with discipline with left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman leading the pack with 4-43 as Pakistan yet again batted poorly with only opener Imam-ul-Haq fighting hard through a laborious 105-ball 82.

Imam, who hit two fours and a six, held the innings together and added 67 for the fourth wicket with Shoaib Malik (30) and another 71 for the seventh wicket with Asif Ali (31).

However, both Imam and Asif fell in successive overs to give Bangladesh only their fifth win over Pakistan in 36 one-day internationals.

Pakistan got off to a disastrous start when opener Fakhar Zaman holed out off the fifth delivery of the first over, caught off spinner Mehidy Hasan.

Left-armer Mustafizur then removed Babar Azam (one) and captain Sarfraz Ahmed (10) to leave Pakistan in tatters at 18-3 before Malik and Imam brought some solidity in the chase.

Mortaza praised an all our effort, despite missing star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan through injury.

"The bowlers did a good job, especially when we didn’t get the runs," said Mashrafe.

"But Mushi and Mithun batted really well and got us to a fighting total."

"We are proud of our fielding today. For a long time we haven’t seen this quality of fielding in our team, so hopefully the boys can understand the value of good fielding."

Sarfraz was upset with team’s showing in the six-team tournament.

"It’s not a good feeling," said Sarfraz. "As a captain, I didn’t do well. We didn’t field well, our batting collapsed and as a team we didn’t do well in any department.

"It seems the team which won the Champions Trophy last year didn’t come here at all."

It was Rahim who built Bangladesh’s innings after it also got off to the worst possible start.

Rahim faced 116 balls and added an invaluable 144 for the fourth wicket with Mithun (60) to help Bangladesh recover from a shaky 12-3 after they won the toss and and opted to bat.

Left-arm paceman Junaid Khan, who replaced Mohammad Amir, had jolted Bangladesh at the start, dismissing Liton Das (six), Soumya Sarkar (0) and Mominul Haque (five).

Junaid finished with 4-19 in his nine incisive overs.

Rahim hit nine boundaries before he was caught behind with just one needed for a second hundred in the tournament, following his 144 against Sri Lanka in the first round.

It was sheer bad luck that he fell in the 42nd over, caught behind off paceman Shaheen Shah who finished with 2-47. Rahim became the first Bangladeshi batsman to be dismissed for 99 in one-day cricket.

Mithun, who added 134 with Rahim against Sri Lanka, hit four boundaries in his 84-ball innings.

End of live coverage

Bangladesh win by 37 runs

End of over 50: Pakistan 202/9

Mustafizur to Shaheen, no run

End of over 49: Pakistan 202/9

Rubel to Junaid , no run

Rubel to Shaheen, 1 run

Rubel to Shaheen, no run

Rubel to Junaid Khan, bye, 1 run

Rubel to Shaheen, 1 run

End of over 48: Pakistan 199/9

Mustafizur to Junaid Khan, no run

Mustafizur to Shaheen, 1 run

Mustafizur to Shaheen, no run

End of over 47: Pakistan 198/9

Rubel to Junaid, 2 runs

Rubel to Shaheen, no run

Rubel to Junaid, 1 run

Rubel to Shaheen, 1 run

Rubel to Shaheen, no run

Rubel to Shaheen, SIX

End of over 46: Pakistan 189/9

Mustafizur to Shaheen, 1 run

Mustafizur to Junaid, 1 run

Mustafizur to Junaid, no run

Mustafizur to Shaheen, 1 run

Mustafizur to Nawaz, OUT

End of over 45: Pakistan 186/8

Rubel to Nawaz, 1 run

Rubel to Shaheen Afridi, no run

Rubel to Nawaz, 1 run

Rubel to Nawaz, no run

Rubel to Nawaz, wide, 1 run

Rubel to Nawaz, no run

End of over 44: Pakistan 182/8

Mustafizur to Nawaz, 1 run

Mustafizur to Hasan Ali, OUT

Mustafizur to Hasan Ali, no run

Mustafizur to Hasan Ali, FOUR

Mustafizur to Nawaz, bye, 1 run

End of over 43: Pakistan 176/5

Mahmudullah to Nawaz, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Hasan, no run

Mahmudullah to Hasan, wide, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Hasan, no run

Mahmudullah to Hasan Ali, no run

Mahmudullah to Nawaz, 1 run

End of over 42: Pakistan 172/7

Mehidy to Nawaz, 1 run

Mehidy to Nawaz, no run

Mehidy to Hasan Ali, 1 run

Mehidy to Nawaz, 1 run

Mehidy to Hasan, 1 run

Mehidy to Hasan, no run

End of over 41: Pakistan 169/7

Mahmudullah to Hasan, 2 runs

Mahmudullah to Imam, OUT, stumped

Mahmudullah to Imam, no run

Mahmudullah to Nawaz, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Imam, 1 run

End of over 40: Pakistan 165/6 (Imam 82, Nawaz 0)

Mehidy to Nawaz, no run

Mehidy to Asif, OUT, stumped

Mehidy to Asif, no run

End of over 39: Pakistan 165/5 (Imam 82, Asif 31)

Rubel to Asif, 1 run

Rubel to Imam, 1 rim

Rubel to Asif, 1 run

Rubel to Imam, 1 run

Rubel to Imam, 2 runs

Rubel to Imam, no run

End of over 38: Pakistan 159/5 (Imam 78, Asif 29)

Mehidy to Asif, no run

Mehidy to Imam, no run

Mehidy to Asif, 1 run

Mehidy to Imam, 1 run

Mehidy to Imam, 2 runs

End of over 37: Pakistan 154/5 (Imam 74, Asif 28)

Mashrafe to Imam, 1 run

Mahshrafe to Imam, no run

Mashrafe to Imam, no ball, FREE HIT, overstepped.

Mashrafe to Asif, 1 run

Mashrafe to Imam, 1 run

Mashrafe to Imam, 2 runs

Mashrafe to Asif, 1 run

Mashrafe to Imam, 1 run

End of over 35: Pakistan 146/5 (Imam 69, Asif 26)

Mustafizur to Asif, no run

Mustafizur to Imam, 1 run

Mustafizur to Asif, 1 run

Mustafizur to Imam , 1 run, it's a fifty partnership.

Mustafizur to Imam, 2 runs

Mustafizur to Asif, 1 run

End of over 34: Pakistan 140/5 (Imam 65, Asif 24)

Mashrafe to Imam, no run

Mashrafe to Asif, 1 run

Mashrafe to Asif, no run

Mashrafe to Imam, 1 run

Mashrafe to Imam, 2 runs

Mashrafe to Imam, SIX

End of over 33: Pakistan 130/5 (Imam 56, Asif 23)

Mustafizur to Imam, 1 run

Mustafizur to Asif, 1 run

Mustafizur to Asif, no run

Pakistan need 112 runs off 102 balls

End of over 33: Pakistan 128/5

Mahmudullah to Imam, no run

Mahmudullah to Asif, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Asif, FOUR

Mahmudullah to Imam, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Asif, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Imam, 1 run

Pakistan need 120 more run on 108 balls.

It's time for drink

End of over 32: Pakistan 120/5 (Imam 53, Asif 16)

Mehidy to Imam, 1 run

Mehidy to Asif, 1 run

Mehidy to Imam, 1 run

Mehidy to Imam, no run

Mehidy to Asif Ali, 1 run

Mehidy to Imam, 1 run

End of over 31: Pakistan 115/5

Mahmudullah to Imam, 1 run, it's a fifty for Imam

Mahmudullah to Asif, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Asif Ali, no run

Mahmudullah to Asif Ali, FOUR

Mahmudullah to Imam, 1 run

End of over 30: Pakistan 108/5

Mehidy to Asif, no run

Mehidy to Imam, 1 run

Mehidy to Asif, 1 run

Mehidy to Imam, 1 run

End of over 29: Pakistan 104/5 (Imam 46, Asif 8)

Mahmudullah to Imam, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Asif, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Asif, no run

End of over 28: Pakistan 103/5 (Imam 45, Asif 7)

Soumya to Imam, no run

Soumya to Asif, 1 run

Soumya to Asif, no run

Soumya to Asif, FOUR

Soumya to Asif, no run

End of over 27: Pakistan 98/5 (Imam 45, Asif 2)

Mahmudullah to Imam, no run

Mahmudullah to Asif Ali, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Imam, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Imam, no run

End of over 26: Pakistan 96/5 (Imam 45, Asif 1)

Soumya to Asif, no run

Soumya to Imam, 1 run

Soumya to Asif, 1 run

Soumya to Asif, no run

Asif Ali walks in to bat

Soumya to Shadab, OUT, top-edge through to Liton Das! Shadab's frustrating knock comes to an end.

End of over 25: Pakistan 94/4 (Imam 44, Shadab 4)

Mahmudullah to Shadab, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Shadab, no run

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End of over 24: Pakistan 93/4 (Imam 44, Shadab 3)

Soumya to Shadab, 1 run

Soumya to Shadab, no run

Soumya to Imam, 1 run

End of over 23: Pakistan 91/4 (Imam 43, Shadab 2)

Mahmudullah to Shadab, no run

Mahmudullah to Imam, 1 run

End of over 22: Pakistan 90/4 (Imam 42, Shadab 2)

Soumya to Shadab, no run

Soumya to Imam, 1 run

Soumya to Imam, no run

Soumya to Imam, 2 runs

Soumya to Imam, no run

End of over 21: Pakistan 87/4 (Imam 39, Shadab 2)

Rubel to Shadab, 2 runs

Rubel to Shadab, no run

Shadab Khan sent ahead of Asif Ali

Rubel to Malik, OUT, Mashrafe takes a stunner! Full on middle, and he attempts to chip this over midwicket, but the fielder dives like Superman and takes an amazing catch to remove Malik

End of over 20: Pakistan 85/3 (Imam 39, Malik 30)

Soumya to Malik, 1 run

Soumya to Imam, 1 run

Soumya to Malik, 1 run

Soumya to Imam, 1 run

Soumya to Imam, 2 runs

Soumya to Malik, 1 run

End of over 19: Pakistan 78/3 (Imam 35, Malik 27)

Rubel to Malik, 1 run

Rubel to Malik,no run

Rubel to Imam, 1 run

Rubel to Imam, no run

End of over 18: Pakistan 76/3 (Imam 34, Malik 26)

Mahmudullah to Imam, 3 runs

Mahmudullah to Malik, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Malik, no run

Mahmudullah to Imam, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Malik, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Malik, no run

End of over 17: Pakistan 70/3 (Imam 30, Malik 24)

Rubel to Imam, FOUR

Rubel to Imam, no run

Rubel to Imam, wide, 1 run

Rubel to Imam, 2 runs

Rubel to Malik, 1 run

Rubel to Imam, 1 run

End of over 16: Pakistan 61/3 (Malik 23, Imam 23)

Mahmudullah to Imam, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Malik, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Maik, no run

Mahmudullah to Imam, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Malik, 1 run

Mahmudullah to Imam, 1 run

Drinks break

End of over 15: Pakistan 56/3 (Malik 21, Imam 20)

Rubel to Imam, 1 run

Rubel to Imam, no run

Rubel to Malik, 1 run

Rubel to Malik, no run

Rubel to Imam, 1 run

Rubel to Imam, no run

End of over 14: Pakistan 53/3 (Malik 20, Imam 18)

Mehidy to Malik, no run

Mehidy to Imam, 1 run

Mehidy to Malik, 1 run

Mehidy to Imam, 1 run

Mehidy to Imam, no run

Mehidy to Malik, 1 run

End of over 13: Pakistan 49/3 (Malik 18, Imam 16)

Mashrafe to Imam, 2 runs

Mashrafe to Imam, FOUR

Mashrafe to Malik, 1 run

Mashrafe to Malik, no run

Mashrafe to Malik, 2 runs

Mashrafe to Malik, no run

End of over 12: Pakistan 40/3 (Malik 15, Imam 10)

Mehidy to Imam, no run

Mehidy to Malik, 1 run

Mehidy to Malik, no run

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Mehidy to Imam, 1 run

Mehidy to Imam, no run

End of over 11: Pakistan 38/3 (Malik 14, Imam 9)

Mashrafe to Malik, no run

Mashrafe to Imam, 1 run

Mashrafe to Imam, no run

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End of over 10: Pakistan 37/3 (Malik 14, Fakhar 8)

Mehidy to Malik, no run

Mehidy to Imam, 1 run

Mehidy to Imam, no run

End of over 9: Pakistan 36/3

Mashrafe to Malik, no run

Mashrafe to Imam, 1 run

Mashrafe to Imam, no run

Mashrafe to Shoaib, 1 run

End of over 8: Pakistan 34/3

Mustafizur Rahman to Shoaib Malik, 1 run

Mustafizur Rahman to Shoaib Malik, no run

Mustafizur Rehman to Shoaib Malik, FOUR

Mustafizur Rahman to Shoaib Malik, FOUR

Mustafizur to Malik, no run

End of over 7: Pakistan 25/3 (Imam 6, Malik 4)

Mashrafe to Imam, no run

Mashrafe to Malik, 1 run

Mashrafe to Malik, no run

Mashrafe to Malik, 2 runs

Mashrafe to Imam, bye, 1 run

End of over 6: Pakistan 21/3 (Imam 6, Malik 1)

Mustafizur to Malik, no run, another maiden

Mustafizur to Malik, no run, good shot but straight to fielder

Mustafizur to Malik, no run

End of over 5: Pakistan 21/3 (Imam 6, Malik 1)

Mashrafe Mortaza, no run, a maiden over

Mashrafe Mortaza to Imam, no run, big slash, missed the outside edge

Mashrafe Mortaza to Imam, no run

End of over 4: Pakistan 21/3 (Imam 6, Malik 1)

Mustafizur to Imam, 1 run

Mustafizur to Imam, wide, 1 run

Mustafizur to Malik, 1 run

Mustafizur to Malik, no run

Shoaib Malik the dependable out in the middle

Mustafizur to Sarfraz, OUT, the captain has to go. Sarfraz walks bac. Sarfraz tries to drive this away from his body, but the ball takes the feather-edge and the catch is gobbled by the diving keeper to his right.

Mustafizur to Sarfraz, FOUR, down the fine leg for boundary

Mustafizur to Imam ul Haq, 1 run

End of over 3: Pakistan 13/2 (Imam 4, Sarfraz 6)

Mehidy to Sarfraz, no run

Mehidy to Imam, 1 run

Mehidy to Imam, no run

Mehidy to Sarfraz, 1 run

Mehidy to Sarfraz, no run

End of over 2: Pakistan 11/2

Mustafizur to Imam, no run

Mustafizur to Imam, 2 runs

Mustafizur to Sarfraz, 1 run

Mustafizur to Sarfraz, FOUR, Sarfraz off the mark with a boundary. Great shot, makes it look very simple.

Mustafizur Rahim to Sarfraz, wide, 1 run

Captain Sarfraz comes ahead of Shoaib Malik

Mustafizur to Babar Azam, OUT, huge appeal for LBW, it's given. It looks plumb. Babar Azam walks back to the pavilion. Doesn't take the review.

Mustafizur to Babar Azam, no run

End of over 1: Pakistan 3/1 (Imam 1, Babar 1)

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Mehidy to Babar Azam, 1 run, Babar also off the mark.

Babar Azam walks into bat after Fakhar falls cheaply

Mehidy to Fakhar, OUT, Fakhar perishes once again. Bull and wide outside off, and he drills this straight to mid on. Great catch.

Mehidy to Imam, 1 run, Imam off the mark as well.

Mehidy to Fakhar, 1 run, Fakhar off the mark.

Mehidy to Fakhar, no run

Fakhar to face the first ball.

Imam ul Haq and Fakhar Zaman come out in the middle to bat.

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Pakistan is set to begin the chase. The winner will play India in the final on Friday.

ABU DHABI: Mushfiqur Rahim struck 99 as Bangladesh set Pakistan 240 to win in a must-win match of the Asia Cup 2018 at Abu Dhabi Cricket Stadium in UAE on Wednesday.

At one stage Bangladesh were 12/3 before Mushfiqur Rahim (99) and Mohammad Mithun (69) set up a 144-run partnership to steer Bangladesh to a fighting total.

Junaid Khan bagged four wickets for 19 runs.

Bangladesh 239/10 in 48.5 overs

Hasan Ali to Mashrafee, OUT

Mustafizur Rehman walks in to bat

Hasan Ali to Rubel, OUT, Rubel Hossain is run out

Hasan Ali to Mashrafee, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Mashrafee, SIX

Hasan Ali to Mashrafee, no run

End of over 48: Bangladesh 232/8

Junaid Khan to Mashrafee, 1 run

Junaid Khan to Rubel Hossain, 1 run

Junaid Khan to Rubel Hossain, no run

Junaid Khan to Mahmudullah, OUT, bowled

Junaid Khan to Mashrafee, 1 run

Junaid Khan to Mahmudullah, 1 run

End of over 47: Bangladesh 228/7

Hasan Ali to Mahmudullah, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Mashrafee, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Mashrafee, no run

Hasan Ali to Mashrafee, 2 runs

Hasan Ali to Mahmudullah, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Mashrafee, 1 run

End of over 46: Bangladesh 222/7

Junaid Khan to Mahmudullah, no run

Junaid Khan to Mashrafee Mortaza, 1 run

Junaid Khan to Mashrafee Mortaza, no run

Captain Mashrafee Mortaza walks in to bat

Junaid Khan to Mehidy, OUT, in the air and gone. Third wicket for Junaid.

Junaid Khan to Mehidy, no run

Five overs to go

End of over 45: Bangladesh 221/6

Hasan Ali to Mehidy, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Mahmudullah, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Mehidy, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Mahmudullah, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Mahmudullah, no run

Hasan Ali to Mehidy, 1 run

End of over 44: Bangladesh 216/6

Shaheen Afridi to Mehidy, 1 run

Shaheen Afridi to Mahmudullah, 1 run

Shaheen Afridi to Mehidy, 1 run

Shaheen Afridi to Mahmudullah, 1 run

Shaheen Afridi to Mehidy, 1 run

Shaheen Afridi to Mahmudullah, 1 run

End of over 43: Bangladesh 210/6

Shadab Khan to Mahmudullah, 1 run

Shadab Khan to Mahmudullah, 2 runs

Shadab Khan to Mahmudullah, no run

Shadab Khan to Mehidy, 1 run

Shadab Khan to Mehidy, FOUR

End of over 42: Bangladesh 202/6

Shaheen Afridi to Mahmudullah, FOUR. Bangladesh goes past 200

Shaheen Afridi to Mehidy, 1 run

Mehidy walks in to bat

Shaheen to Mushfiqur, OUT, heart-breaking for Bangladeshi fans. Caught behind. Sarfraz doesn't miss. Mushfiqur falls one short of what could have been a magnificent century.

Shaheen to Mushfiqur, no run

Shaheen to Mushfiqur, FOUR, takes Mushfiqur to 99

Shaheen to Mahmudullah, 1 run

End of over 41: Bangladesh 192/5 (Mushfiqur 95, Mahmudullah 10)

Shadab Khan to Mahmudullah, 3 runs, edge will get him at least 3 runs

Shadab Khan to Mahmudullah, no run

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur Rahim, 1 run

Shadab Khan to Mahmudullah, 1 run

10 overs to go now

End of over 40: Bangladesh 187/5 (Mushfiqur 94, Mahmudullah 6)

Shaheen to Mahmudullah, no run

Shaheen to Mahmudullah, 2 runs

Shaheen to Mahmudullah, no run

Shaheen to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Shaheen to Mushfiqur, 2 runs

End of over 39: Bangladesh 181/5 (Mushfiqur 91, Mahmudullah 3)

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Shadab Khan to Mahmudullah, 1 run

Shadab Khan to Mahmudullah, no run

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, 2 runs

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, no run

End of over 38: Bangladesh 176/5 (Mushfiqur 87, Mahmudullah 2)

Nawaz to Mahmudullah, no run

Nawaz to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Nawaz to Mahmudullah, 1 run

Nawaz to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Nawaz to Mushfiqur, FOUR, short ball got punished, it was losener.

Nawaz is back

End of over 39: Bangladesh 169/5 (Mushfiqur 81, Mahmudullah 1)

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, no run

Shadab Khan to Mahmudullah, 1 run, gets off the mark

Mahmudullah walks in to bat

Shadab Khan to Imrul Kayes, OUT, LBW appeal and it's given

End of over 36: Bangladesh 167/4 (Mushfiqur 80, Kayes 9)

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, no run

Hasan Ali to Kayes, no run

Hasan Ali to Kayes, 2 runs

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, no run

End of over 35: Bangladesh 163/4 (Mushfiqur 79, Kayes, 6)

Shaheen Afridi to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Shaheen Afridi to Kayes, 1 run

Shaheen Afridi to Kayes, FOUR

Shaheen Afridi to Kayes, no run

End of over 34: Bangladesh 157/4 (Mushfiqur 78, Kayes 1)

Hasan Ali to Imrul Kayes, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Imrul Kayes, no run

Hasan Ali to Mithun, OUT, throws away his wicket. Very poor shot, plays in the air.

Hasan Ali to Mithun, no run

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, 3 runs

Hasan Ali to Mithun, 1 run

End of over 33: Bangladesh 152/3

Shaheen Afridi to Mushfiqur, no run

Shaheen Afridi to Mushfiqur, 2 runs

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Mithun, 1 run

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Mushrifqur, 1 run

End of over 32: Bangladesh 148/3

Junaid Khan to Mithun, FOUR, amazing shot!

Junaid Khan to Mithun, no run, well directed bouncer.

Junaid Khan to Mithun, no run

Junaid Khan to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Junaid Khan to Mushfiqur, no run

End of over 31: Bangladesh 143/3 (Mushfiqur 71, Mithun 54)

Shaheen to Mithun, no run

Shaheen to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Shaheen to Mithun, 1 run

Shaheen to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Shaheen to Mithun, no run

Shaheen to Mushfiqur, 1 run

End of over 30: Bangladesh 138/3 (Mushfiqur 68, Mithun 58)

Junaid Khan to Mithun, no run, good over, just two runs

Junaid Khan to Mithun, no run

Junaid Khan to Mithun, 1 run

Junaid Khan to Mithun, 2 runs, good bouncer

End of over 29: Bangladesh 136/3 (Mushfiqur 68, Mithun 51)

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, no run

Hasan Ali to Mithun, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Mithun, FOUR, fifty for Mithun!

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, 1 runs

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, FOUR, runs down the attack , top edge and its a boundary

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, no run

End of over 28: Bangladesh 126/3 (Mushfiqur 63, Mithun 46)

Junaid Khan to Mushfiqur, no run

Junaid Khan to Mithun, 1 run

Junaid Khan to Mithun, no run

Junaid Khan to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Junaid Khan to Mushfiqur, 2 bye

Junaid Khan to Mithun, no run

Junaid Khan brought back into the attack

End of over 27: Bangladesh 122/3 (Mushfiqur 63, Mithun 45)

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, no run

Hasan Ali to Mithun, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Mithun, no run

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, FOUR

End of over 26: Bangladesh 116/3 (Mushfiqur 57, Mithun 44)

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Mushfiqur Rahim is down, being attended by physio

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, 2 runs

Shadab Khan to Mithun, 1 run

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur , 1 run, it's a fifty for Mushfiqur

End of over 25: Bangladesh 107/3 (Mushfiqur 49, Mithun 43)

Nawaz to Mithun, 2 runs

Nawaz to Mithun, no run

Nawaz to Mithun,2 runs

Nawaz to Mithun, 2 runs

Nawaz to Mithun, no run

Nawaz to Mithun, 2 runs

End of over 24: Bangladesh 99/3 (Mushfiqur 49, MIthun, 35)

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, no run

Shadab Khan to Mihtun, 1 run

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, no run

Shadab Khan to Mithun, 1 run

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, 1 run

End of over 23: Bangladesh 95/3 (Mushfiqur 47, Mithun 33)

Nawaz to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Nawaz to Mithun, 1 run

Nawaz to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Nawaz to Mithun, 1 run

Nawaz to Mithun, no run

Nawaz to Mushfiqur, 1 run

End of over 22: Bangladesh 90/3 (Mushfiqur 44, Mithun 31)

Shadab Khan to Mithun, no run

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, no run

Shadab Khan to Mithun, 1 run

Shadab Khan to Mithun, no run

End of over 21: Bangladesh 88/3 (Mushfiqur 43, Mithun 30)

Nawaz to Mithun, 1 run

Nawaz to Mithun, no run

Nawaz to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Nawaz to Mushfiqur, 2 runs

Nawaz to Mithun, 1 run

Nawaz to Mithun, no run

End of over 20: Bangladesh 83/3 (Mushifqur 42, Mithun 28)

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, 2 runs

Shadab Khan to Mithun, 1 run

Shadab Khan to Mithun, no run

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, no run

Shadab Khan to Mithun, 1 run

End of over 19: Bangladesh 78/3 (Mushfiqur 39, Mithun 26)

Nawaz to Mithun, 1 run

Nawaz to Mithun, no run

Nawaz to Mithun, 2 runs

Nawaz to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Nawaz to Mushfiqur, no run

End of over 18: Bangladesh 74/3 (Mushfiqur 38, Mihtun 23)

Shadab Khan to Mithun, no run

Shadab Khan to Mithun, 2 runs

Malik to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Malik to Mushfiqur, no run

Shadab Khan to Mithun, 1 run

End of over 17: Bangladesh 70/3 (Mushfiqur 37, Mithun 20)

Malik to Mithun, 1 run

Malik to Mithun,2 runs

Malik to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Malik to Mushfiqur, 2 runs, good running

Malik to Mushfiqur, no run

Malik to Mithun, 1 run

End of over 16: Bangladesh 63/3 (Mushfiqur 36, Mithun 16)

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, no run

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, FOUR, reverse sweep. And it's a fifty partnership

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, no run

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, FOUR, another slog sweep

Shadab Khan to Mushfiqur, no run

End of over 15: Bangladesh 55/3 (Mushfiqur 26, Mithun 16)

Shoaib Malik to Mithun, FOUR, gets hammered to offside for a boundary. Not a good ball from Malik.

Shoaib Malik to Mushfiqur Rahim, 1 run

Shoaib Malik to Mushfiqur Rahim, no run

Shoaib Malik to Mithun, 1 run

Shoaib Malik to Mithun, no run

Shoaib Malik to Mushfiqur Rahim, 1 run

End of over 14: Bangladesh 48/3

Nawaz to Mushfiqur Rahim, 1 run

Nawaz to Mushfiqur Rahim, no run, half-hearted appeal for LBW

Nawaz to Mushfiqur Rahim, 2 runs

Nawaz to Mushfiqur Rahim, no run

Nawaz to Mushfiqur Rahim, FOUR, slog sweep again but this time played to the perfection.

Nawaz to Mohammad Mithun, 1 run

End of over 13: Bangladesh 40/3 (Mushfiqur 17, Mithun 10)

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, no run

Hasan Ali to Mithun, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, no run

End of over 12: Bangladesh 38/3 (Mushfiqur 16, Mithun 9)

Mohammad Nawaz to Mushfiqur Rahim, 1 run

Mohammad Nawaz to Mushfiqur, no run

Mohammad Nawaz to Mithun, 1 run

Mohammad Nawaz to Mushfiqur Rahim, 1 run, tries a slog sweep and gets an inside edge for one run

Mohammad Nawaz to Mushfiqur Rahim, no run

End of over 11: Bangladesh 35/3 (Mushfiqur 14, Mithun 8)

Hasan Ali to Mithun, no run

Hasan Ali to Mithun, FOUR, Edge and the ball flies past the first slip for a boundary.

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Mithun, 1 run

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, 1 run, cracking shot will get only one run

Hasan Ali to Mithun, 1 run

This is the end of first power play

End of over 10: Bangladesh 27/3 (Mushfiqur 12, Mithun, 2)

Mohammad Nawaz to Mushfiqur, no run

Mohammad Nawaz to Mithun, 1 run

Mohammad Nawaz to Mithun, no run

Mohammad Nawaz to Mithun,no run, appeal for LBW turned down, Sarfraz goes for a review. The ball is missing the leg stump. Not out

Mohammad Nawaz gets the ball

End of over 9: Bangladesh 26/3 (Mushfiqur 12, Mithun 1)

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, no run

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, 2 runs, width and slashed for a couple.

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, no run

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, FOUR, gorgeous shot!

Hasan Ali to Mushfiqur, no run

Hasan Ali to Mohammad Mithun, 1 run, Mithun off to the mark

End of over 8: Bangladesh 19/3 (Mushfiqur 6, Mithun 0)

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Mushfiqur, no run

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Mushfiqur, FOUR, too short, allowed Mushfiqur to free hit arms and the ball races away to four.

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Mushfiqur, no run

End of over 7: Bangladesh 15/3 (Mushfiqur 2, Mithun 0)

Junaid Khan to Mohammad Mithun, no run, brilliant end to the over

Junaid Khan to Mushfiqur Rahim, 1 run, good shot but will get a single.

Junaid Khan to Mushfiqur Rahim, wide

Junaid Khan to Mushfiqur Rahim, no run

End of over 6: Bangladesh 13/3

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Mohammad Mithun, no run

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Mohammad Mithun, no run, very close to an outside edge, lovely delivery

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Mohammad Mithun, no run

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Mushfiqur Rahim, 1 run, edge and ball flies past third slip to third man.

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Mushfiqur Rahim, no run

End of over 5: Bangladesh 12/3

Junaid Khan to Mohammad Mithun, no run

Mohammad Mithun walks in to bat

Junaid Khan to Liton Das, OUT, you miss and I hit. clean bowled. Liton Das falls, leaving Bangladesh in big trouble.

Junaid Khan to Liton Das, no run

End of over 4: Bangladesh 12/2

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Mushfiqur Rahim, no run, bouncer

Mushfiqur Rehman walks into bat

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Mominul Haque, OUT, clean bowled

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Mominul Haque, FOUR, into the pad and Haque guides it to the boundary. Great shot!

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Liton Das, 1 run

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Mominul Haque, 1 run

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Liton Das, 1 run

End of over 3: Bangladesh 5/1

Junaid Khan to Mominul, no run

Mominul Haque walks in

Junaid Khan to Soumya Sarkar, in the air, OUT, Big breakthrough for Pakistan as Sarkar falls early.

Junaid Khan to Soumya Sarkar, no run

Junaid Khan to Liton Das, 1 run

Junaid Khan to Soumya Sarkar, 1 run

End of over 2: Bangladesh 3/0 (Das 3, Sarkar 0)

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Liton Das, no run, a maiden over

Shaheen Shah Afridi to Liton Das, no run

End of over 1: Bangladesh 3/0 (Das 3, Sarkar 0)

Junaid Khan to Soumya Sarkar, no run

Junaid Khan to Liton Das, 1 run

Junaid Khan to Liton Das, no run, defended on front foot

Junaid Khan to Liton Das, no run, very close to the outside edge

Junaid Khan to Liton Das, no run

Junaid Khan to Liton Das, 2 runs, Bangladesh and Das off to the mark

Bangladeshi batters Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das are out in the middle and Junaid Khan with the ball.

The all-important Asia Cup clash is set to begin and the winner of today's match will play the final against India on September 28.

National anthems of both countries at 4.25 pm

ABU DHABI: Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first in do-or-die match against Pakistan in the semi-final like game of the Asia Cup 2018 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.

Bangladesh, who lost to India but beat Afghanistan in their last Super Four match, were forced to leave out allrounder Shakib Al Hasan (fractured finger) in one of three changes.

Pakistan replaced fast bowler Mohammad Amir with another left-armer, Junaid Khan, from the match they lost to India by nine wickets on Sunday.

The winner of this game will meet title holders India in Friday´s final in Dubai.

Winning the toss, Bangladesh Captain Mashrafe Mortaza said it looks like a good wicket.

Bangladesh lost many wickets in the middle during previous game, but batsmen at number 6 and 7 batted well last, so hopefully this time we will do well.

Pakistani skipper Sarfraz said conditions do change when the evening comes. We have spoken to the batsmen, and we want to play positive cricket.

We will try to get Bangladesh out fast and chase the target down., he added.

I don't put extra pressure on myself, says Shoaib Malik ahead of Bangladesh encounter.

When the last time Pakistan travelled to Abu Dhabi for an Asia Cup game they stepped on a banana peel and almost slipped before Shoaib Malik’s rescue act saved them in the Super-Fours game against Afghanistan.

They would need to do much better in today’s trip to Abu Dhabi as Pakistan cannot afford any hiccups in the must-win match against Bangladesh. It’s effectively a semi-final as a nine-wicket defeat against India on Sunday has left Pakistan just one failure away from what would be an embarrassing exit from this six-nation contest.

Pakistan’s players are well aware of the fact that they cannot afford such ignominy. With the ICC World Cup in England just eight months away, there could be major repercussions for some members of the Pakistani squad if the teams failed to lift its Asia Cup campaign.

That was probably the reason why the Pakistanis carried out extensive training session on a hot afternoon here at the ICC Academy on Wednesday. The batters took extended turns while the bowlers sweated it out under the watchful eye of the team management.

But one training session, however, grueling, is unlikely to help the management iron out the various weak links in the line-up. Apart from the prolific Shoaib Malik, the batsmen have mostly flopped. The bowlers, generally Pakistan’s most potent weapons, have been unable to exhibit any really. And the catching has been horrible.

But Pakistan, being Pakistan, remain the favorites to beat Bangladesh, a side which is struggling with its own demons. Over the years, Pakistan have mostly given their best facing similar situations. The question, however, is whether they would be able to do that again at the Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi today?

Signs haven’t been good. Their openers, especially the highly-rated Fakhar Zaman has failed to show the sort of form that made him top the ‘Pakistan’s players to watch in the Asia Cup’ list.

Fakhar Zaman has so far made just 55 runs in the tournament. Captain Sarfraz Ahmed and Asif Ali have made 58 and 46 respectively, in the four matches so far. The middle-order has seen some good contributions from Malik but hasn’t exhibited real spine especially in the two big losses against the Indians.

A below-par performance from the bowlers has also posed a major headache for coach Mickey Arthur. From pace spearhead Mohammad Amir to the wily leggie Shadab Khan, the Pakistani bowlers have punched way below their weight.

Pakistan need to change that script against Bangladesh, against a side they enjoy a 31-4 advantage when it comes to head-to-head record. They brought back Amir for Sunday’s game against India but it turned out to be his sixth consecutive wicketless match. Hasan Ali hasn’t been faring well either having picked three wickets in the Asia Cup at 51.66.

While Malik, who has scored 181 runs from four Asia Cup matches, has been Pakistan’s go-to man in the batting department, Mushfiqur Rahim will be the key man for Bangladesh. He is their highest scorer in the tournament with 198 runs in three matches. Imrul Kayes and Mahmudullah also found some runs in their last outing, raising Bangladesh’s hopes.

The Tigers would be looking towards the experience of all-rounder Shakib al Hasan, one of the leading wicket-takers in the event with seven wickets. The duo of Mustafizur Rahman and skipper Mashrafe Mortaza also have the ability to pose problems for Pakistan.

Teams

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam Ul Haq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (c, wk), Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Bangladesh: Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mominul Haque, Imrul Kayes, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Mehidy Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

Asia Cup: Bangladesh beat Pakistan to set up India clash

ABU DHABI: Mushfiqur Rahim scored a fighting 99 to guide Bangladesh into the Asia Cup final with a convincing 37-run win over Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

ABU DHABI: Mushfiqur Rahim scored a fighting 99 to guide Bangladesh into the Asia Cup final with a convincing 37-run win over Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

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