In the end, the Bangladesh fans were stunned into silence and disbelief. They had every reason to feel let down after their heroes threw away the Asia Cup opener which they had fully under control.
Chasing 263, they were well on course with Shakib al Hasan and Abdur Razzaq at the crease. The asking rate was less than six and with seven overs to go, all Bangladesh batsmen had to do was to play out the wily Saeed Ajmal.
But Razzaq, inver for Shakib, went for a mighty hoik and lost his wicket to Ajmal. The offspinner was waiting for this tiny window and he removed Mashrafe Mortaza in the same over to make it all the more difficult for Shakib (64). The left-hander did his best, but Umar Gul had the last laugh as Pakistan notched up a 21-run victory.
Before Shakib took over the chase, it was Tamim Iqbal who got Bangladesh off to a solid start. The opener was drafted into the squad on public demand after being ignored initially, and he showed that he was still the best bet. Tamim (64 off 89 balls) looked completely at ease and the runs were flowing for the fourth-wicket partnership with Shakib.
But it all changed around in the 28th over when Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq threw the ball to Mohammad Hafeez. And the utility man of Pakistan cricket didn't let his team down.
The offie got one to come in and as the Bangladesh left-hander went on the back foot attempting a cut, he found the ball a shade too low and his middle-stump was disturbed. A fired-up Hafeez struck again with the next ball, trapping Mahmudullah leg-before.
Chasing 263, they were well on course with Shakib al Hasan and Abdur Razzaq at the crease. The asking rate was less than six and with seven overs to go, all Bangladesh batsmen had to do was to play out the wily Saeed Ajmal.
But Razzaq, inver for Shakib, went for a mighty hoik and lost his wicket to Ajmal. The offspinner was waiting for this tiny window and he removed Mashrafe Mortaza in the same over to make it all the more difficult for Shakib (64). The left-hander did his best, but Umar Gul had the last laugh as Pakistan notched up a 21-run victory.
Before Shakib took over the chase, it was Tamim Iqbal who got Bangladesh off to a solid start. The opener was drafted into the squad on public demand after being ignored initially, and he showed that he was still the best bet. Tamim (64 off 89 balls) looked completely at ease and the runs were flowing for the fourth-wicket partnership with Shakib.
But it all changed around in the 28th over when Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq threw the ball to Mohammad Hafeez. And the utility man of Pakistan cricket didn't let his team down.
The offie got one to come in and as the Bangladesh left-hander went on the back foot attempting a cut, he found the ball a shade too low and his middle-stump was disturbed. A fired-up Hafeez struck again with the next ball, trapping Mahmudullah leg-before.
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