‘As a batting unit, we lost’

Bangladesh's stand-in captain Jaker Ali offered a straightforward explanation after the 11-run defeat to Pakistan in their final Super Four match in the Asia Cup, saying a batting failure cost them the game on Thursday in Dubai, just like it had done the previous day against India.

The Tigers were set a 136-run target to beat Pakistan and book their place in the final. Even on a slightly challenging pitch, the target seemed gettable.

But Bangladesh made a mess of the chase, losing wickets in regular succession and eventually finished on 124-9.

Shamim Hossain was the only batter to play with the right attitude, making 30 off 25 balls, but found no support.

In the game against India on Wednesday, the bowlers had done well to restrict the opposition to 168-6 on a better wicket. But in reply, Bangladesh were bundled out for 127 in 19.3 overs.

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Jaker, who made just five off nine balls against Pakistan, accepted that the batters could not complement the good performances of the bowlers in both games.

"As a batting unit, last two matches, we lost it. As a bowling unit, we did very good work. Yesterday also, the batting [cost us the match] and today as well," said Jaker, who tasted defeat as skipper in both games.

The wicketkeeper-batter admitted that his experience of captaining the side in place of the injured Litton Das was "Bit tough, but I tried to take those chances. I tried to adjust to the captaincy and enjoy it."

Although Saif Hassan could make just 18 off 15 on Thursday, he was a standout player for Bangladesh in the Asia Cup, making 178 runs in just four innings -- the highest for his side -- which included a couple of half-centuries.

"As a batter, Saif, throughout the tournament, has played very well. But unfortunately, we did not give him support," Jaker rued. "As a bowling unit, we did really well [in this tournament]."

With the win, Pakistan have set up a final against India for the first time in the Asia Cup.

The final will take place in Dubai on Sunday.