Bangladesh crash out after 11-run defeat to Pakistan in Super Four clash

The bowlers did their job, but the batters once again failed to deliver. In the virtual semifinal of the Asia Cup Super Four, Bangladesh suffered an 11-run defeat to Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Losing the toss, Pakistan batted first and posted 135 for 8 in 20 overs. In reply, Bangladesh managed 124 for 9 in their full quota of overs.

The chase began with a nightmare start as opener Parvez Hossain Emon departed without scoring in the very first over, flicking Shaheen Shah Afridi straight to Mohammad Nawaz. Hopes briefly rose with Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy at the crease, but the stand broke early. Hridoy, attempting to hit Afridi over the top, was caught by Saim Ayub.

In-form Saif Hassan (18 off 15) was then dismissed by Haris Rauf, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 44 for 4 after Mehidy Hasan Miraz also fell cheaply. Skipper Nurul Hasan Sohan (16 off 21) and Shamim Hossain Patwary (30 off 25) tried to rebuild, but Afridi’s dismissal of Shamim ended Bangladesh’s hopes. Lower-order contributions only narrowed the margin. Rishad Hossain remained unbeaten on 16 off 11 balls.

For Pakistan, Afridi and Rauf claimed three wickets each, while Saim Ayub bagged two and Nawaz took one.

Earlier, Bangladesh had made an excellent start with the ball. Taskin Ahmed struck in the very first over, removing the in-form Sahibzada Farhan (4). Mehidy Hasan then dismissed Saim Ayub for a duck. Rishad Hossain further dented Pakistan, sending back Fakhar Zaman (13 off 21) and Hussain Talat (3 off 7). Captain Salman Ali Agha (19) was undone by Mustafizur Rahman, leaving Pakistan reeling at 49 for 5.

However, late cameos from Shaheen Afridi (19 off 13) and Mohammad Nawaz (25 off 15) rescued Pakistan from humiliation and took them to a fighting total.

Taskin finished with 3 for 28, while Rishad (2/18) and Mehidy (2/28) grabbed two wickets apiece. Mustafizur claimed one.

Brief Scores

Pakistan: 135/8 in 20 overs (Mohammad Haris 31, Nawaz 25, Afridi 19; Taskin 3/28, Rishad 2/18, Mehidy 2/28)
Bangladesh: 124/9 in 20 overs (Shamim 30, Saif 18, Rishad 16*; Afridi 3/17, Rauf 3/33, Saim 2/16)

Result: Pakistan won by 11 runs.