CricketViewer.com

Half-centuries from openers Nasir Jamshed and Salman Butt helped Pakistan ease to a 10-wicket victory over Bangladesh to round off their Asia Cup campaign on a high on Friday.

The hosts, who were playing for pride alone in the final Super Four match, bowled out Bangladesh for just 115 runs in 38.2 overs and then overhauled the target with 30 overs to spare.

Jamshed was unbeaten on 52, while Butt made 56 in Pakistan’s innings.

Bangladesh chose to bat first under overcast skies but Abdur Rauf soon took control with the ball, picking up three top order wickets including that of skipper Mohammad Ashraful.

Bangladesh never recovered from those early blows and only got past the 100-run mark with the aid of 16 extras, 11 of them wides.

However, the extras were the only blemish on Pakistan’s bowling figures as they picked up wickets in quick succession.

Rauf delivered the early blows, while Ifthikar Anjum also turned in an economic spell, picking up two wickets and sending down six maidens in his 10 overs.

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal hastened the end for Bangladesh by picking up the last two wickets to fall in Abdur Razzak and Farhad Reza.

Jamshed, 18, then led the Pakistan run chase and was a mixture of caution and aggression at the start.

He cracked five boundaries and two sixes - the only two of the match - to reach his half-century off just 52 deliveries.

Salman trailed the youngster in terms of strike rate, but accelerated quickly towards the end.

He brought up his 50 with boundaries off consecutive deliveries from left-arm spinner Razzak and brought up the victory with another boundary off Farhad.

India and Sri Lanka will contest the Asia Cup final, which will be played on Sunday.

Source: Cricket365