Tigers book a date with India in Asia Cup final

A disciplined effort with the ball and cameos from a few batsmen saw Bangladesh beat Pakistan by five wickets, with five balls remaining, in a T20I in Mirpur and ensured the host nation qualified for Sunday's Asia Cup final against India.
After restricting Pakistan to 129 for seven in their 20 overs, the home team were in trouble early on as they lost both Tamim Iqbal and Sabbir Rahman to be 46 for two in the ninth over.
However, opening batsman Soumya Sarkar was anchoring the chase well as he scored a run a ball 48 and shared in a crucial partnership of 37 with Mushfiqur Rahim (12) for third wicket.
Both Sarkar and Rahim fell in quick succession though as Pakistan sniffed a way back into the contest and kept pegging the Tigers back.
When left-arm paceman Mohammad Amir bowled allrounder Shakib al Hasan (8) in the 18th over, the hosts still needed 26 from 16 balls as Pakistan really started to believe.
But the experienced pair of Mahmudullah (22*) and his captain Mashrafe Mortaza (12*) added an unbroken 27 runs for the sixth wicket to guide Bangladesh to their target, ending on 131 for five after 19.1 overs.
Earlier, after Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi had won the toss and elected to bat first, seamer Al-Amin Hossain led a spirited bowling performance from the home team.
Al-Amin finished with figures of three for 25 from four overs while Arafat Sunny picked up two wickets as Pakistan stuttered along to their eventual total.
Only Sarfraz Ahmed (58*) and Shoaib Malik (41) made any notable contributions to a Pakistan batting effort that has some serious work to do before the World T20 starts in India later this month.
Latest
-
News
Dom Bess and Jack Leach spin Sri Lanka into serious trouble in Galle
England are closing in on a series win.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 3: England skipper Joe Root’s brilliant form continues
Root’s 186 helped England battle back against Sri Lanka in Galle.
-
News
Jos Buttler: Everyone can learn something from watching Joe Root play spin
England’s captain scored another Test century in Galle.
-
News
5 biggest Test knocks of England captain Joe Root’s career
Root’s superb showing in Galle moved him up to fourth in the list of his country’s highest Test run scorers.
-
News
Joe Root puts on another batting masterclass in Sri Lanka before late dismissal
The England captain departed having scored 186 of England’s 339 for nine in Galle.
-
News
England rely on Joe Root again as he defies Sri Lanka with another century
He hit an unbeaten 137 as England reached tea at 252 for six to trail their hosts by 129 runs.
-
News
England stay alive in Sri Lanka as Joe Root claims another century
The Yorkshireman has reached three figures in consecutive matches for the first time in his career.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 2: Familiar faces keep England in the hunt at Galle
James Anderson and Joe Root raised the bar in the second Test against Sri Lanka.
-
News
England paceman James Anderson still finding ways to get better
Anderson’s six for 40 was his best performance in Asian conditions.
-
News
Masterful Joe Root leads England fightback against Sri Lanka
The captain was unbeaten on 67 at stumps on day two of the second Test.