Pakistan won Asia Cup 2012
MIRPUR: Bangladesh was just one stroke away from winning the Asia Cup title.They lost their first tournament finals in 2009 by 2 wickets and now they lost by just 2 runs. The game was a cliffhanger with everyone glued to TV screens.
Chasing a target of 236, Bangladesh had a good start but unfortunately Nazimuddin did not able to play well and took too many deliveries and made 16 runs in 62 balls, due to which Bangladesh had to pay a heavy price later on.On the other hand Tamim continues to play well and hit his fourth consecutive 50 runs in just 48 balls.Nasir also played too slowly and made 23 runs in 63 balls.Shakib once again played very well and hit 68 runs in 72 balls.Bangladesh need 9 runs in last over but only able to made 6. Pakistan keep their nerve and clinch the title by two runs.Shahid Afridi played very well and give just 28 runs in his 10 overs.
Earlier Pakistan was sent in to bat by Bangladesh after winning the toss. Pakistan does not start well and lost early wickets.
But with godd contribution from middle order batsmen they were able to made a competitive total.Bangladesh’s leading ODI wicket-taker Abdur Razzak rose to the occasion, with figures of 10-3-26-2. Afridi played a good cameo of 32 runs in just 22 balls.
Shahid for his all round performance was chosen Man of the Match.Shakib for his brilliant all round performance inn the entire series was chosen Player of the tournament.
Misbah-ul-Haq said : “Wonderful victory, well fought by all guys, the youngsters came in and contributed well. Sarfraz’s innings was a vital one for us. This wicket was a little different from the other ones, it was slow. We were hoping that around 225-230 would be a fighting a score.
The spinners bowled very well, the pacers did well in the end. Bangladesh played wonderfully well, this is really a new Bangladesh team and they are really the winners.”
Shahid Afridi says: “Bangladesh really played well, and I worked hard on my bowling. The credit goes to guys like Shakib and Nasir, they really played some good cricket. I tried my level best with the bat. I worked hard.”
Mushfiqur Rahim: Before the tournament, we had great preparation but the boys stuck to the plans. We played good in the tournament I thought.
The wicket is a bit slowish, it’s not easy to score runs, Tamim and Shakib played well. We gave away some runs in the last over, that was crucial. It’s been a great tournament for Shakib, Tamim, Mashrafe, Razzak and Nasir. We fought in all the games and we achieved a lot in this tournament. Shakib and Tamim were both set batsmen and their wickets were the turning point.”
