Cheema delivers to help Pakistan lift Asia Cup
Umar Akmal, second right, talks to Aizaz Cheema, right, as Umar Gul, second left, talks to captain Misbah-ul-Haq, left, after Cheema was hit for a boundary during their Asia Cup final cricket match against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Thursday. – Photo by AP
DHAKA: Pakistan claimed the Asia Cup with a thrilling two-run victory over a dogged Bangladesh on Thursday, breaking the hearts of home supporters who saw their unfancied side take the game to the wire.
The visitors — tournament winners in 2000 — held Bangladesh to 234-8, agonisingly short of Pakistan’s 236-9 despite impressive half-centuries from Shakib Al Hasan (68) and opener Tamim Iqbal (60).
Pakistan paceman Aizaz Cheema starred with the ball, grabbing three wickets, while fast bowler Umar Gul and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal each took two to strangle Bangladesh’s run-chase.
The hosts, appearing in their first Asia Cup final, looked well placed to win the day-night match, watched by Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, but faltered in the final over.
Needing nine runs to win with three wickets in hand they could manage only six, as Cheema held his nerve to see out the game.
Cheered by a capacity crowd, Bangladesh started their innings strongly, reaching 68 for the opening wicket through Tamim and Mohammad Nazimuddin (16), before Pakistan struck with three wickets in the space of 13 runs.
Tamim, who was initially dropped from the squad but later added as a 15th member, hit eight fours in his fourth successive half-century before being caught by Younis in the covers off Gul.
Shakib kept alive Bangladesh’s hopes with an 89-run stand for the fourth wicket with Nasir Hossain (28), but his dismissal in the 44th over put the hosts under pressure.
Bangladesh had earlier restricted Pakistan’s free-scoring batsmen with tight bowling and a solid fielding performance.
Left-arm spinners Shakib and Abdur Razzak and paceman Mashrafe Mortaza bagged two wickets apiece for Bangladesh, with Sarfraz Ahmed leading Pakistan’s innings with an unbeaten 46.
Having upset the odds to beat World Cup winners India and runners-up Sri Lanka in league matches, Bangladesh looked like they could repeat the trick after capturing three wickets in the opening 15 overs to have Pakistan at 55-3.
Mortaza struck in his third over when he had opener Nasir Jamshed (nine) caught by Mohammad Mahmudullah in the covers before seamer Nazmul Hossain trapped Younis Khan leg-before for one.
Bangladesh’s fielders expertly supported their bowlers with Nasir running the tourist’s skipper Misbah-ul-Haq out with a direct-hit before Nazmul held a good catch at mid-on to account for Mohammad Hafeez (40).
Nasir had a hand in one more dismissal when he dived forward at long-off to take a superb catch to remove Shahid Afridi after the batsman had hit one six and four boundaries in a brisk 22-ball 32.
The hosts did not allow Pakistan to build a big partnership, the highest stand of the innings being 59 for the fifth wicket between Umar Akmal (30) and Hammad Azam (30).
how much wickets cheema have taken in final
Mate , i didn't intend to make derogatory remarks here , your other bowlers like gul , wahab are better that's what i think .. Cheema just doesn't look the part of legendary pakistan bowling .. He clearly got wickets by batsmen mistakes like inside edges or holing out a catch ..thing about it .. i don't think he's long term prospect .. and yeah India ended Asia cup at 3 not at bottom and i am not proud of english,aus peformances either .. i reckon too much cricket and money got into their heads
Well done Pakistan for coming up victorious in a nail biting finish, Congrats PAKISTAN Cricket Team. But the credit of "Champions" tag must be given only to "Bangladesh" they played some awesome cricket against all the 3 Asians teams. Through this series they are making a strong statement to world cricket.
Congratulations to our Pakistani brothers for winning Asaia cup in my country Bangladesh. Actually there are more Pakistani supporters in Bangladesh than their own Nation team. So, In general Bengalis are happy to see off India from the final.
well done Bangladesh you nearly pulled it off.
As a Pakistani i was pleased that we won the cup but i would not have very disappointment if Bangladesh had won.
Long live Pakistan, Long live Bangladesh.
Gultasib Khan
uk
Thanks my brother for your wise comment.Actually hearts of the Pakistani and Bengali people are with each other even after 41 years of divition.
Allah created Pakistan as a mercy for entire Muslim world, but out corrupted politicians divided that powerful country in 1971.
Congrats to pakistan.. Banglas also played well,.. I felt sorry for akmal.. He was unlucky, given out… His temperament was gud… Anyways nice game
From a Pakistani, Congratulations to Bangladesh for playing brilliant cricket and teaching us how never to give up and keep fighting till the last ball. Too many times, Pakistani team just loses their heart or nerves and they just give up.
It was sad to see some of your guys crying. We know what it is like to lose. We were heartbroken, crying, and depressed when our team lost to India in Mohali in the World Cup semi. And again when we lost to India in Asia Cup.
Keep improving and playing consistently (unlike Pakistan which is notorious for being inconsistent). We are always praying for you as you are like brothers and sisters for us.
I am grateful to editor of Dawn for rising up the Media. Goodluck
i feeld :'(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed…
I THINK BOTH PLAYED WELL AT THE END IT IS THE GAME OF NERVES WHICH I THINK WEAK IN TIGERS CAMP. I CONG. BOTH TEAMS FOR THIS THRILLING GAME MOST OF THE TIME TIGERS ARE AT UPPER HAND BUT END BELONGS TO THOSE WHO CONTROL THEIR NERVES.
Good Show Pakistan and Bangladesh.
A lot of positives for the game of cricket….
Ajaz Cheema like bowlers if advised and groomed properly can deliver in future. However Fieling and Bating needs extra attention.
Sad to see BD lose the game but they truly played like champions. They proved that they have several masters in their team with ability to proof the metal at any grounds against anyone. Very soon they will take the big trophy back home.
What a display of team work. If we stick together, we are unbeatable. CONGRATS Pakistan! Salute to Bengal tigers as they were worthy opponents.
Aizaz Cheema to me is a useless bowler , but somehow got lucky yesterday and was gifted wickets by bangladeshi batsmen .. Indian batsmen would lambast him day and night
That's why your Indian team is bottom most team in Asia Cup and lost 4-0 to England and 3-0 to Australia,beaten by Bangladesh.Great achievement and Congratulations to Team India for being bottom most position in Asia cup .Learn to compliment winners and please pick up some fighting qualities of Pakistan team.Cheema has won so many matches now for Pakistan whether Test or One day,he doesn't need to prove anything.He has won the Asia Cup for him.
Virat Kohli we love you!
Well Done Pakistani Team and you guys had proved it
that Pakistani Team can do anything and also good for ICC
Great Pakistan, Well Done. Long Live Pakistan.
Bangladesh too, deserve appreciation for Hard Work.Good Luck in future.
congrates to all pakistani for winning our team asia cup,also well wishes for bangali tigers that made me sad when they were crying but don't worry that's a game.
Congrates Pak team for asia cup win. Wish you more success in future. Happy to see positive news for pak people.