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ToggleFormer Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi congratulated Bangladesh after the Tigers’ win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup. The swashbuckling allrounder also expressed his disappointment over Pakistan’s overall performance.
Pakistan were tipped by many to go all the way in the competition even ahead of defending champions India. Pakistan’s familiarity with the UAE conditions as well as their form before the Asia Cup made many believe that they would be the team to beat. However, all the speculations and expectations ended on Wednesday as Bangladesh dumped them out of the competition to set-up a clash with India in the final.
In the do-or-die Super Four stage clash, Bangladesh won the game by 37 runs to enter the final.
Mashrafe Mortaza did not hesitate in batting first after winning the toss. The decision initially backfired as Junaid Khan and Shaheen Afridi reduced them to 12 for 3. However, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun once again bailed Bangladesh out of trouble with a brilliant stand.
The duo added 144 runs for the fourth wicket. Hasan Ali broke the stand when he dismissed Mithun for 60. Rahim, on the other hand, held firm and took his team’s score close to 200-run mark. But his heroic knock ended in a heartbreak manner as he was out for 99. Bangladesh’s lower-order batsmen then failed to finish strongly as the Tigers were all out for 239.
Bangladesh, however, did not let their late collapse affect them as they came out all guns blazing with the ball. In no time, they reduced Pakistan to 18 for 3.
Imam-ul-Haq and Shoaib Malik then steadied the ship with a 65-run stand. However, Malik and Shadab Khan departed in quick succession as Pakistan found themselves 5 down for just 94. A 71-run stand between Imam and Asif Ali revived their hopes. But the game all but ended when both of them were dismissed in space of two runs. Pakistan were eventually restricted to 202 for 9.
And after the game, Shahid Afridi took to Twitter to have his say on the game as he said Pakistan need to work hard to live up to the lofty expectations they have set after winning last year’s Champions Trophy.
“Congratulations Bangladesh??Disappointed by Pakistani team’s overall performance. Lacked attacking play of cricket in all fields. Its a young side who performed well in the last tournaments&set r expectations high.More focus n practice is needed4a stronger comeback”
Congratulations Bangladesh??Disappointed by Pakistani team’s overall performance. Lacked attacking play of cricket in all fields. Its a young side who performed well in the last tournaments&set r expectations high.More focus n practice is needed4a stronger comeback #HopeNotOut
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) September 26, 2018