Bangladesh v Pakistan
Wisden's review of the eighth match, Bangladesh v Pakistan
15-Apr-2017
At Mirpur, March 2, 2016 (floodlit). Bangladesh won by five wickets. ‡Pakistan 129-7 (20 overs) (Sarfraz Ahmed 58*, Shoaib Malik 41; Al-Amin Hossain 3-25); Bangladesh 131-5 (19.1 overs) (Soumya Sarkar 48). MoM: Soumya Sarkar.
Bangladesh almost fluffed their lines in a compelling denouement. Ultimately, though, a cameo from Mahmudullah guided them home - and to the final. His 22* included an extraordinary back-foot driven six over extra cover, as well as the winning boundary to midwicket. It was sweet for Mahmudullah, who had been batting when Bangladesh lost the (50-over) 2012 Asia Cup final to Pakistan by two runs. Tension grew when Shakib was bowled trying to scoop Mohammad Amir; five down, Bangladesh needed 26 from 16 balls. Mashrafe bin Mortaza promptly blasted Amir down the ground, then somehow deflected the next, a full-blooded short ball, for another four. Earlier, Pakistan had recovered from 28-4 thanks to Sarfraz Ahmed, who made 58*, and Shoaib Malik. Opening bowler Al-Amin Hossain grabbed three wickets, while his partner Taskin Ahmed conceded just 14.
Bangladesh almost fluffed their lines in a compelling denouement. Ultimately, though, a cameo from Mahmudullah guided them home - and to the final. His 22* included an extraordinary back-foot driven six over extra cover, as well as the winning boundary to midwicket. It was sweet for Mahmudullah, who had been batting when Bangladesh lost the (50-over) 2012 Asia Cup final to Pakistan by two runs. Tension grew when Shakib was bowled trying to scoop Mohammad Amir; five down, Bangladesh needed 26 from 16 balls. Mashrafe bin Mortaza promptly blasted Amir down the ground, then somehow deflected the next, a full-blooded short ball, for another four. Earlier, Pakistan had recovered from 28-4 thanks to Sarfraz Ahmed, who made 58*, and Shoaib Malik. Opening bowler Al-Amin Hossain grabbed three wickets, while his partner Taskin Ahmed conceded just 14.