Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 77 runs to claim their maiden title of the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday.
Having lost the final twice, Pakistan made it third-time lucky, inflicting a heavy defeat on the hosts who were playing in their first final.
Wicket-keeper batsman Rohail Nazir was the star of the show as his century propelled Pakistan to a mammoth 301 for six after the hosts had opted to bowl first.
Nazir came in at 18 for one after the fall of Omair Yousuf and soon lost the other opener, Haider Ali, for 26 as Pakistan found themselves 41 for two in the eighth over. The right-hander then took charge, with Imran Rafiq in support, as they put on 117 runs for the third wicket.
Rafiq departed for an 88-ball 62 when skipper Saud Shakeel joined Nazir as Pakistan shifted from consolidation to assault mode, with Nazir bringing up his hundred off 105 balls. The wicket-keeper departed for a 111-ball 113 but Shakeel’s 42 and cameos from Khushdil Shah (27) and Amad Butt (15) helped Pakistan plunder 301 runs, 97 of which came in the last 10 overs.
Sumon Khan, with three wickets, was the most successful Bangladeshi bowler but he was also the second-most expensive, conceding 75 runs.
Bangladesh’s reply started poorly as they lost both openers cheaply, Soumya Sarkar for 15 and Nayeem Sheikh for 16. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto tried to resurrect the innings along with Yasir Ali, but Shanto’s departure for 46, with the team four down for 119, jeopardised the hosts’ chances.
Even Afif Hossain’s 49 and Mahedi Hasan’s 42 gave Bangladesh momentary hope, but there was no big innings from either of the Bangladesh batsmen as they eventually folded for 224 in 43.3 overs.
Mohammad Hasnain was the most successful Pakistan bowler with three wickets while Khushdil and Saif Badar took two wickets each.
Nazir was adjudged player-of-the-match while Soumya was named player-of-the-tournament.
PRAN FROOTO EMERGING TEAMS ASIA CUP 2019
Sat 23-Nov
FINAL: Pakistan v Bangladesh at SBNCS, Mirpur
PAKISTAN WON BY 77 RUNS
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field
Pakistan: 301 for 6 off 50 overs (R.Nazir 113, I.Rafique 62, S.Shakeel 42; S.Khan 3-75)
Bangladesh: 224 all out off 43.3 overs (N.Shanto 46, A.Dhrubo 49, M.Hasan 42; M.Hasnain 3-32)
Man of the Final: Rohail Nazir (Pakistan)
Player of the Tournament: Soumya Sarkar (Bangladesh)
