Picture : Asian Cricket Council/Twitter
Struggling Pakistan floundered yet again to perform and hence crashed out of the Asia Cup 2018 by losing to a gritty and determined Bangladesh by 37 runs at an encounter at Abu Dhabi.
The win means Bangladesh will now take on India in the final on September 28. Both teams faced each other in the Asia 2016 final.
Earlier this year, India beat Bangladesh in the final of the Tri Series in Sri Lanka and won the T20 Nidahas Trophy . Dinesh Karthik smashed a last ball six to fashion a thrilling win.
It was fine all round show by the tigers Mushfiqur Rahim it a brilliant 99, Mohammad Mithun made 60 to help Bangladesh reach a fighting total of 239. Rahim and Mithun fought back after been reduced to 12 for 3 with a match- winning 144 run partnership.
In reply Pakistan could mmanage only 202 for 9 . Imam -ul Haq ( 83) was the lone ranger for Pakistan. Shoaib Malik (30) and Asif Ali (31) were the other notable contributors.
Imam first stitched 67 runs for the fourth wicket with Malik and then shared crucial a 71-run partnership with Ali to keep Pakistan’s hopes alive.
However, Bangladesh never gave up hope and kept chipping away at the wickets in the middle overs.
Pakistan did not have the best of starts as they lost Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam and skipper Sarfraz Ahmed early.
Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman shone with brilliant figures of four for 43, while off-spinner Mehidy Hasan claimed two for 28.
