Pakistan deny Bangladesh in thrilling final

Dhaka: Pakistan recorded a thrilling two-run victory over Bangladesh in a dramatic final to take the Asia Cup tournament in Dhaka on Thursday night.

Paceman Aizaz Cheema grabbed three wickets, while fast bowler Umar Gul and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal each finished with two wickets as Pakistan stopped Bangladesh at 234-8 after scoring 236-9 in the day-night match.

Shakib Al Hasan (68) and opener Tamim Iqbal (60) were the main scorers for Bangladesh, who made their maiden appearance in the final of the one-day tournament.

Hosts Bangladesh put in an impressive bowling and fielding performance to restrict Pakistan. Left-arm spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Abdur Razzak and paceman Mashrafe Mortaza bagged two wickets apiece, while Sarfraz Ahmed top-scored for Pakistan with an unbeaten 46.

Bangladesh, who upset World Cup winners India and runners-up Sri Lanka in league matches, put Pakistan under pressure when they captured three wickets in the opening 15 overs to send the tourists reeling 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 run.

The Bangladeshi fielders backed their bowlers up as Nasir Hossain ran skipper Misbah-ul-Haq out with a direct-hit at the non-striker's end from point and then 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).

Akmal looked surprised when he was given caught behind off off-spinner Mahmudullah.

Bangladesh retained the side that defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in the last league match, on Tuesday.

Pakistan made one change from the team that lost against India, bringing in Sarfraz in place of Wahab Riaz.