||CF Correspondent ||     ||

Bangladesh slipped in the all-important final game of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Emerging Teams Cup after winning all matches in group phase and semifinal in dominating fashion as they put up a mediocre performance to taste a 77-run defeat against Pakistan to be left satisfied with runners-up trophy.

Thanks to a 111 ball-113 from Rohail Nazir, Pakistan Emerging Teams piled up a respectable 301-6 in its 50-over allocation before wrapping up Bangladesh for 224 in 43.3 overs.

The highest run of Bangladesh came from the willow of Afif Hossain who struck 49 off 53 with four fours and one six. Skipper Nazmul Hossain Shanto scored 46 while Mahedi Hasan added 42.

To overhaul such a big target, Bangladesh needed a fluent start from opener Soumya Sarka and he seemed to be on track to take the game away. However the opener simply couldn’t carry on with it as he was dismissed for 15 off 6.

After his dismissal, the middle order could not pace the innings and eventually succumbed to the pressure of run rate.

Pakistan pacer Mohammad Hasnain claimed 3-32 to slice the Bangladesh middle order. He got apt support from Khushdil Shah and Saif Badar who picked up two wickets apiece.

Earlier, Rohail Nazir and Imran Rafique rescued Pakistan from a precarious 41-2, adding 117-run for the third wicket stand. Nazir struck 12 fours and three sixes in his 113 while Imran made 62. Captain Saud Shakil then paced the innings towards the with 40 ball-42 to help Pakistan propel past 300 runs mark.