Pakistan and Bangladesh reach cricket final

Pakistan and Bangladesh have reached the final of the SAU Asia Cup cricket.

The second weekend of matches in the SAU Asia Cricket Cup brought some spectacular cricket, tense competition, and a taste of what’s in store for the final.

The weekend began with Bangladesh and Pakistan, each with two games to play, and Internationals, with one win from two games, all in with a chance of clinching a place in the final. China, already twice defeated, still had a crucial game against Bangladesh, and a last chance to upset the cricketing order.

(Pakistan captain, Ahsan played a confident innings)

Saturday saw Pakistan in trouble early on as Internationals all-rounder Pandu knocked over both openers without their troubling the scorers. But confident innings from skipper Ahsan (27 from 26 balls) and Sakib (25 from 18 balls) saw Pakistan recover to a defendable 108. In reply, Pandu (27 from 27 balls) resisted the Pakistani pace attack and steered his side into a winning position, before Anfaz (Sri Lanka) and Prakash (Nepal) saw them home with an over to spare.

Sunday was a big day for Bangladesh, with games against China and Pakistan. The day began with China’s bowlers quickly reducing the Bangladesh top order to rubble, but swashbuckling middle order star Saleh, along with wicketkeeper Walid, batting at eight, dug in. Having lost six wickets before 50 was on the board, the pair weathered the storm, and as Saleh, in sparkling form, found further support from the tail, Bangladesh reached an impressive 141 all out in the final over. A demoralised Chinese side simply had no answer, and despite a brave 25 from Wang Zhiquan, could only reach 80 in their 20 overs.

(Job done; Saleh unbeaten on 65 leaves the field)

The big showdown of the weekend was between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Having already registered two comfortable victories, Bangladesh were all but assured of a place in the final, but defeat for Pakistan would see them crash out, and Internationals though instead.

This time Bangladesh’s batting fired and, despite three wickets for Pakistan leg spinner Junaid, Bangladesh posted a very respectable 132 for nine from their 20 overs, with openers Mafuz and Asif, Saleh continuing where he’d left off in the morning, and top scorer Jamal, all cashing in.

(Opener Asif hits out for Bangladesh)

Faced with a do or die situation, the Pakistan openers played as though they had not a care in the world. Ahsan (45 not out) and Umair (36) hit freely right form the off and seemed to be able to do no wrong. When Umair finally fell, first Junaid and then Zohair, eased Pakistan to a comfortable eight wicket victory, and a place in the final.