Unimoni Asia Cup 2018

Bangladesh 239 All Out (Mushfiqur Rahim 99, Mohammad Mithun 66, Mohamadullah 26, Junaid Khan 4/19, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2/47, Hasan Ali 2 / 60) Beat Pakistan 202/9 (Imam Ul Huq 83, Asif Ali 31,Shoaib Malik 30, Mustafiz 4/46, Mehidy Miraj 2/28) by 37 runs 

Roaring tigers crushed Pakistan through a brilliant team performance by 37 runs stormed into the final of Unimoni Asia Cup 2018 Wednesday at Abu Dhabi. Playing with two top dogs Tamim and Shakib back home injured Bangladesh bowled and fielded like real Bengal tigers defending not too difficult chasing 240. Every bowler put bowled at right channel, every fielder put in their best, papa Tiger Mashrafe took a blinder as Bangladesh looked hungry for the blood all the way while bowling. Batting first the Bangladesh innings ran into early collapse rocking at 12/3. 

Ever reliable Mushfiq (Pocket Rocket) and twinkling star Mohammad Mithun combined in yet another prolific match winning partnership of 144. Mushfiq got out at 99 and Mithun made 60. Bangladesh innings got stuck in quick sand. Once the two got out Bangladesh could crawl to 239 all out.  At half way stage 240 runs target with Bangladesh Shakib not available to bowl was looking well within the reach of Pakistan. But right from the words go Bangladesh bowled and fielded like wounded tigers hungry for the prey. Miraj, Mustafiz, Mashrafe, Rubel and even part timers Soumya and Mahmuduallh bowled with their hearts out.

None but Imam Ul Huq could resist. Majestic Mashrafe handled his limited bowling resources admirably. When he dived to ful stretch and picked up a brilliant catch of Shoaib Malik off Rubel his charges started throwing their bowlers like leopards. Bangladesh stormed into the final as worthy winners. It is the third time in the last four Asia Cup ODI versions Bangladesh will appear in the final where red hot Indians are waiting for them.  It was fourth straight ODI win by Bangladesh against Pakistan. Being deprived of the essential services of two world class performers Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan injured and unfit to play it was a remarkable Bangladesh win.

The wicket had some swings and early movement. Bangladesh tried with a new combination of Liton and Soumya. The top order collapse a regular feature of Bangladesh in the 5th consecutive match of the tournament continued. Junaid Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi decimated Bangladesh for 12/3 by the 5th over. The misery of Soumya with the bat continued. Trying to pull on the front foot against a fast bowler in early overs is always suicidal. He did that and left the scene without disturbing the scorer. Mominul and Liton were cleaned up by Shaheen Afridi and Junaid Khan.

The pacers were breathing fire. Mushfique and Mithun came to scene with Bangladesh reeling. Strange noting that Pakistan Captain opted to spin instead of pressurizing Bangladesh with pace after Hasan Ali the third pacer had few early loose overs. Showing extreme patience and defiance Mushfiq and Mithun resurrected the innings with courage and determination. Once they set their roots in both batted brilliantly. They ran their singles well and whethever opportunities came scored boundaries. The fourth wicket partnership of 144 laid a solid launching pad. But once Mithun got out unnecessarily trying to haoik Hasan Ali Mushfiq also started feeling the heat of the desert. Trying to steer Junaid for a single for reaching his second century of the tournament Mushfiq got out at heart breaking 99. Junaid, Afridi and Hasan Ali restricted Bangladesh to 239 all out. The innings once promised reaching 270 -280.

Many thought with out a key bowler Shakib Bangladesh would struggle to defend. But Mashrafe tuned tiger squad looked determined. The bowlers started bowling tight, fielders started chasing and diving. Bangladeshis had spring in their legs. Fakhar Zaman fell to Mehidy Miraj, Babar Azam and Sarfraz were consumed by Mustafiz in his brilliant first spell. Imam Ul Huq looked like ploughing in the sand. However, Shoaib Malik was looking solid in the partnership with Imam. But an absolute blinder by captain courageous Mashrafe of the bowling of Rubel got rid of Shoiab (30). Bangladesh strangled Pakistan in the middle overs. 

Part time bowlers Soumya and Mahmudullah in between them bowled 15 overs taking two wickets for only 57 runs. Another partnership of 57 between Imam and Asif prolonged the innings. But none could wretch control as bowlers bowled accurately and fielding was sharp and agile. Mehidy and Mustafiz on return took away wind from the sail of Pakistan. They could finally reach 202/9 still 38 runs required for a win. Bangladesh won heavy and handsome. Mustafiz taking 4/46 was adjudged man of the man of the match which in our opinion should have been shared between Mushfiq and Mustafiz.

While Mashrafe led his side with his usual brilliance Sarfaraz made few mistakes. It was not smart taking out both Junaid and Afridi with Bangladesh reduced to 12/3 in the 5th over .He could have attacked Mushfiq and Mithun with greater intensity keeping both the pacers going a few more overs . 

Any way Bangladesh now will have to plot for winning against strong India. Perhaps India has already received a strong statement from tweeting tigers. Mashrafe led team Tigers leave nothing unturned. Does not matter whoever plays, everyone fights to the last in never say die attitude.  

BDST: 0851 HRS, SEPT 27, 2018
SI