Wisden
Asia Cup final

Bangladesh v Pakistan, final, Asia Cup, 2011-12

Mohammad Isam

At Mirpur, March 22, 2012 (day/night). Pakistan won by two runs. Toss: Bangladesh.

A final worthy of the occasion was edged by Pakistan, who drew on their greater experience and produced one of their best fielding displays in recent memory. Younis Khan's three catches and Hammad Azam's agility (which atoned for a dropped chance) pressed home the advantage won by Pakistan's three spinners. Saeed Ajmal was deadly on a pitch that had slowed to a standstill: what seemed a modest total - rescued from 133 for six by a 22-ball blast by Shahid Afridi and an enterprising innings from wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed - turned out to be defendable. Tamim Iqbal hit his fourth successive fifty, and Shakib Al Hasan produced the goods yet again, but the rest couldn't wriggle out of the jam, and Bangladesh were unable to manage nine from the final over, delivered by Aizaz Cheema. There was controversy off the first ball, when Cheema seemed to impede Mahmudullah as he was looking for a second run, but the umpires decided the obstruction was unintentional; a later, official, complaint predictably came to nothing. Bangladesh's young team shed tears after their narrow defeat, and looked inconsolable, despite their two splendid victories earlier in the tournament.

Man of the Match: Shahid Afridi. Man of the Series: Shakib Al Hasan.

© John Wisden & Co.