KARACHI: Bangladesh batsman Mosaddek Hossain made sure he punished Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan for fielding a second-string side in their final Emerging Teams Asia Cup Group ‘B’ match at the National Stadium on Sunday.

Mosaddek smashed the Pakistan bowling line-up — which was without in-form Mohammad Ilyas and regulars Mohammad Asghar and Sameen Gul — for 85 off 74 balls to help Bangladesh post 303-5 in their 50 overs.

Pakistan were also without Sahibzada Farhan — centurion in the last two matches — who could have helped them chase the big target successfully. But a weak batting effort saw the hosts suffer a 84-run loss.

Rizwan, however, said the changes were made to prepare for the semi-finals which will be played in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pakistan have already qualified for the last-four stage after winning their first two group games.

“We rested some players because we already made it to the semi-finals,” said the Pakistan skipper afterwards. “We had planned to experiment a different combination according to the conditions we will be expecting in Sri Lanka.”

Crucially for Bangladesh, the result was enough to take them to the semi-finals. The Tigers, however, were assisted by luck after the match between UAE and Hong Kong was called off after light rain damaged the Southend Club pitch. In the 31 overs of play there, Hong King were 87-4.

Bangladesh had lost to the Emiratis by 97 runs in their opening match.

“The boys wanted to win today and we were determined about putting out best show in this match,” Bangladesh captain Nurul Hasan Sohan said. “It was amazing playing in Karachi. We had a good time here.”

Two partnerships proved crucial for the visitors to post what proved to be a massive task for the under-strength Pakistan XI. After opener Mizanur Rehman was caught at mid-wicket off Khushdil Shah, Zakir Hasan and Nazmul Hossain Shanto added a quick 98.

Upcoming paceman Musa Khan brought Pakistan into the match by two quick wickets by removing both Zakir and Nazmul, but Mosaddek was in no mood to give up. The right-hander, who has featured for his country’s senior side in 24 ODIs, used that experience to good use as hoisted four sixes and also hit three fours.

Bangladesh were boosted by Yasir Ali’s 56 off 46 as and Mosaddek combined to put on 126 for the fifth wicket. Yasir hit five fours and two sixes before being dismissed by Khushdil, who finished with 3-48.

Khushdil could have helped Pakistan in the run-chase too but the left-hander did not get any support from his team-mates. The all-rounder scored 61 off 58.

Opener Ali Imran was Pakistan’s first loss at three after falling to Nayeem Hasan in the third over. Saud Shakeel, who was promoted up the order, was Nayeem’s second prey as Pakistan struggled at 23-2 in the fifth over.

Zeeshan Malik, who came in the XI in place of Sahibzada Farhan, showed his intent after he was joined by Rizwan. The two of them added 88 for the third wicket.

At this point Rizwan lost his partner when Zeeshan was dismissed by Shariful Islam in the 20th over, while the skipper was bowled when tried to cut Mosaddek.

It was a typical Pakistan collapse then as Khushdil saw his partners coming and leaving at the other end until the home-side was done and dusted for 225 before the 47th over.

Nayeem was Bangladesh’s best bowler with 3-36 while Mosaddek added up to his batting performance with 2-32.

Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka while Bangladesh play India in the semi-finals on Thursday in Colombo

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2018