Bangladesh ‘A’ were left heartbroken as they lost to Pakistan Shaheens in the super over in the final of the Rising Stars Asia Cup (formerly Emerging Asia Cup) at West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha on Sunday.Ìý
Bangladesh ‘A’ managed 125-9 in 20 overs in reply to Shaheen’s 125 after the last wicket partnership of Ripon Mondon and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain added 29 runs in 16 balls to give themselves a lifeline.Ìý
However, after beating India in the super over in the semi-final, the coin has flipped for the Akbar Ali-led side, as they managed to score only six runs in the one-over shootout.Ìý
Abdul Gaffar Saqlain—who batted at 10 in the main match—and Jishan Alam fell in the second and third legitimate deliveries off Ahmed Daniyal, while five runs came from wides in between them.Ìý
Habibur Rahman, who struck the second-highest 21 sixes, including two in the final, was left stranded on 1 off 1.Ìý
With only six to defend, Ripon Mondol darted two yorkers in the first two deliveries to give away two singles, one of which came through leg bye. But his third attempted yorker became a low full toss to which Saad Masood hit a four.Ìý
A single off the fourth ball was enough to bring Shaheen’s third championship in the seven editions of the tournament.Ìý
Earlier, Bangladesh slipped to 53-7 in the 11th over as left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas and left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem ran havoc over them. Arafat registered 2-5 in two overs, while Sufiyan took three for only 11 runs.Ìý
However, Meherob Hasan (19 off 21) and Rakibul Hasan (24 off 21) added 37 runs for the eighth wicket, which at that point seemed to only delay the inevitable.Ìý
After they fall in a space of 11 deliveries, where only six runs were made, it was all but over for the Bangladeshis.Ìý
But Ripon and Gaffar struck three sixes combined in the 19th over to bring 20 overs before seven runs were needed from the last.Ìý
The duo didn’t take any risk to lose it all, as they managed six runs to drag the game to the super over.Ìý
Unlike after the first innings of the super over, Bangladesh ‘A’ were favourites after the first innings of the main match, as they restricted Shaheens to 125.Ìý
Ripon and Rakibul continued their fine forms as they took three for 25 and two for 16, respectively. Apart from one, all six bowlers were among the wickets as they kept striking regularly.Ìý
‘The belief was there, but in terms of shot selection, we were not good enough. We can only blame ourselves,’ said Akbar after the match.Ìý
‘We knew that in this type of wicket, playing against the spin was not easy. It was about winning the battle against the spinners, but we couldn't do it,’ he added.Ìý
‘We were looking down and out at one point, but the lower order showed the character. I am very proud of the boys for what they have achieved in this tournament,’ he concluded.Ìý
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