Bangladesh beat Pakistan by six runs in a thrilling finale to the 2014 SAU Asia Cup
Pakistan pressed all the way and needing 12 runs to win from the final over were thwarted by the bowling of Bangladesh skipper Sourav, who took two wickets for just six runs in his final six deliveries, to seal a famous victory for his team.
SAU Sports Dept Director Hong Tao presents Bangladesh Captain Sourav with the 2014 SAU Asia Cup
Pakistan fast bowler Sheroz runs in to bowl to Bangladesh opener Mafuz
Under a clear blue sky, Pakistan skipper Ahsan won the toss and invited Bangladesh to bat, backing his opening pacemen to upset the Bangladesh top order. When Sheroz claimed the wicket of Mafuz, in his first over, and then Furkan in the next over bagged number three Sourav, the Pakistan captain must have felt his decision had been vindicated, but already there were signs of the wayward bowling that would cost his side dearly.
Bangladesh’s ever reliable opener Asif was joined by their leading run scorer Saleh, and together they began to put the Pakistan bowlers to the sword.
Asif edges Zohair to slip
Asif finally fell to Zohir for 17, and then when Saleh was bowled for 30, shouldering arms to the leg spin of leading wicket taker Junaid, Pakistan were jubilant. But Bangladesh bat deep and, helped by some sloppy Pakistan bowling, piled on the runs in the closing overs. Number eight Sadman hit a quick fire 21 as Bangladesh posted 127.
Pakistan’s 22 wides had already cost them dear but, adding insult to injury, their slow over rate now meant that they would have only 19 overs in which to overhaul Bangladesh’s score.
After a bright start, Pakistan captain Ahsan got the faintest of edges from the bowling of Rakib, in the third over, and was left to watch helplessly as his side battled bravely.
Top scorer Junaid
Junaid, ably supported by first Umair, and then Saqib, compiled a measured and potentially match winning 50, but when Saqib was bowled by Zazizul, and then Shawn took a brilliant return catch to dismiss Sheroz, the Pakistan number three just couldn’t get enough of the strike. In a desperate attempt to get back to the striker’s end during the final over, he was run out, and Bangladesh began to celebrate.
Special mention should go to the two umpires, Saurav from Nepal, and Yang Yang from China, who where exemplary in the highly charged final atmosphere, and to Elias, the Bangladesh 12th man, who had to give up his scoring duties to take to the field for the crucial last overs, after an injury to one of his teammates.
2014 SAU Asia Cup Champions: Bangladesh
Runners up: Pakistan
Batsmen of the tournament: Pandu (Sri Lanka, Internationals) 129 runs
Bowler of the tournament: Junaid (Pakistan) 12 wickets
