Exciting tie at Cox's Bazar

The Group B match of the Asian Cricket Council Teams Cup between Bangladesh and Pakistan ended as a tie when the hosts chasing Pakistan's 233, finished at par for the loss of eight wickets. Bangladesh needed seven runs off the final over but both Saifuddin and Neyeem Hasan could take six singles with Saifuddin on strike when the final ball was bowled.

The result ensured Pakistan finished top from the group courtesy of a better run-rate. Both teams had earlier confirmed their semifinal berths. Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka in the first semifinal at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong while Pakistan will take on Afghanistan, who stunned India with a two-wicket win today, in the second semifinal at the MA Aziz Stadium. Both the semifinals will take place on Saturday. 

Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque hit a fine 75 while wicketkepper-batsman Mohammad Mithun struck 53.    

Earlier, Pakistan lower order batsmen fought back after the early collapse and helped their team reach 233 for 8 in 50 overs against Bangladesh at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar today.

Bangladesh’s Mohammad Saifuddin struck early and soon Pakistan were on the back foot at 3-34 inside 11 overs. The fifth wicket partnership between Haris Sohail and Hammad Azam of 86 in 132 balls resurrected the Pakistan innings somewhat, but when Abul Hasan Raju sent back Hammad for 30 in the 34th over, Bangladesh were firmly in the driver’s seat.

Haris was the highest run-getter for Pakistan, and his 63 from 107 balls held the innings together when wickets were falling at the other end. After he was dismissed by Nasum Ahmed in the 37th over, the seventh wicket stand of 39 in 34 between Bilal Asif and Hussain Talat gave Pakistan some much needed runs late in their innings.

The tourists fought back as their tail came to the rescue at Cox’s Bazar. The eighth wicket stand of 45 in 46 balls between Zafar Gohar and Hussain Talat enabled Pakistan to reach a challenging total in the end.

For Bangladesh, Saifuddin took 3-54 in 10 overs to peg back the tourists early. Abul and Nasum captured two wickets each.