Bangladesh loses final but gains respect in the cricketing world-
Asia cup Final – 22 March 2012 @ Mirpur Bangladesh
Bangladesh Vs Pakistan – Pakistan won by 2 runs
Bangladesh outplayed both India and Sri Lanka to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2012 finals. Bangladesh won the toss, unsurprisingly decided to bowl. Pakistan kept on losing wickets at regular intervals, with the highest individual score coming from lower down the order (wicket keeper Sarfaraz Ahmed – 46*). Pakistan managed to post a respectable 236 runs on board.
This was a golden opportunity for Bangladesh to capture the first ever Asia Cup. After a good bowling performance by the bowlers, it was now upto the batsman to make it count for Bangladesh. Bangladeshi opener Tamim Iqbal was the key for the team. Having already scored three half centuries in the tournament, he didn’t let his team down and scored almost a run a ball 60. All rounder Shakib Al Hasan carried on after Tamim got out and scored 68 valuable runs for the team. Steadily moving towards the target, Bangladesh needed 9 off the last over. The crowd was behind the home team as this is the closest ever Bangladesh could come to win in an Asia Cup final. Needing 4 of the last ball, a well directed yorker prevented the boundary. Pakistan prevailed by pulling off a dramatic win by 2 runs. Bangladesh’s dream for the Asia cup final shattered. Tears in the eyes of Mushfiqur Rahim, the captain. Pakistan won the tournament for the second time. Watch the final moments of the match in the video attached below.
Bangladesh however won the respect of the cricketing world, beating India and Sri Lanka on their way here and giving Pakistan a run for their money twice.
