Afridi goes ‘Boom Boom’ in win against Bangladesh

DHAKA: Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by three wickets to book their place in the final of the Asia Cup.

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat setting a record target of 327 for Pakistan. In response Pakistan got off to a steady start behind openers Ahmed Shahzad’s century (103 off 112) and Muhammad Hafeez’s 52 of 55 balls.

After Shahzad’s dismissal the run rate increased and it seemed the match was no longer within the reach of Pakistan. Once again Shahid Afridi proved to be the difference maker. In a similar performance to that against India, Afridi went into ‘Boom Boom’ mode blasting 59 of 25 balls in an innings which included seven sixes.

Afridi opened the doors for a Pakistan win and it was Fawad Alam who ensured that there was no looking back. The left-hander hit 74 off 70 balls including a couple of late inning sixes.

Pakistan set a new record of achieving their highest chase when Umar Akmal hit the winning stroke.

Earlier, Bangladesh piled up a huge total of 326 runs for three wickets, which is their highest-ever total in an ODI innings.

Opener Anamul Haque made 100 off 132 balls with six boundaries and four sixes. This was his second century in One-day International cricket. This was also the second individual hundred by a Bangladeshi batsman in this tournament.

Among other batsmen, Imrul Kayes scored 59 from 75 balls with five fours and two sixes, Mominul Haque hit 51 off 47 balls with six fours, Mushfiqur Rahim smashed 51 off 33 balls with eight fours while Shakib Al Hasan playing for the first time in the tournament blasted an unbeaten 44 from just 16 balls with six fours and two sixes.

During the Bangladesh innings Pakistani spinner Abdur Rehman was stopped from bowling in the match when he delivered three consecutive above the wait no-balls in the 11th over.