Gritty Bangladesh knock out Pakistan; set up India final

TIL Desk Sports/ Mushfiqur Rahim stroked a brilliant 99, while Mustafizur Rahman picked up four wickets as Bangladesh outclassed Pakistan by 37 runs to qualify for the final, in the Asia Cup in Dubai, on Wednesday.

The experienced Mushfiqur notched up his 30th half-century, while Mohammad Mithun made 60 to lift Bangladesh to a competitive 239 from a precarious position after opting to bat, in the virtual semi-final, in Abu Dhabi.

Mushfiqur was unlucky as he fell one short of what could have been his seventh ODI century but did enough to rescue Bangladesh with a 144-run fourth wicket stand with Mithun after they were reduced to 12 for three inside five overs.

Later, opener Imam-ul-Haq (83) turned out to be the lone bright spot as Pakistan’s batting line-up faltered in pursuit of the modest chase and finished on a disappointing 202 for nine. Bangladesh will take on India in the title clash in Dubai on Friday.