Bangladesh knocked Pakistan out of the Asia Cup 2018 and booked final berth against India with an emphatic 37-run victory in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
After opting to bat first in the virtual semi-final, Bangladesh registered 239 in 48.5 overs, courtesy sublime 99 from wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim.
For Pakistan, left-arm pacer Junaid Khan was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed figures of 4-19.
In reply, the Men in Green never get going and eventually managed to score just 202 in their full quota of 50 overs.
Opener Imam-ul-Haq was the top-scorer for Pakistan with 83 runs (105 balls), whereas left-armer Mustafizur Rahman claimed figures of 4/43 for Bangladesh.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:
No one is an underdog. Not quite what fans would have wanted, many had anticipated an India vs Pak final but Bangladesh were just superb on the day, The 5 M’s Mushfiqur, Mithun, Mustafizur ,Mahmudullah & Mehidy had brilliant performances and hard luck to Pakistan. #BANvPAK
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 26, 2018
Congratulations Bangladesh! Mustafizur with 4 wickets and Mushfiqur with 99 runs, excellent game!.. we're in for a very exciting finals ! #AsiaCup2018 #PAKvBAN @Mustafiz90 @mushfiqur15
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 26, 2018
Congratulations Bangladesh🇧🇩Disappointed by Pakistani team’s overall performance. Lacked attacking play of cricket in all fields. Its a young side who performed well in the last tournaments&set r expectations high.More focus n practice is needed4a stronger comeback #HopeNotOut
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) September 26, 2018
Congratulations to @BCBtigers on reaching the finals. In the absence of Shakib and Tamim Iqbal the way they have competed and fought , reflects the character of the side. #PakvBan
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) September 26, 2018
Congratulation to @BCBtigers on making it to the Asia Cup Final. Excellent performance despite the absence of two major players – Tamim and Shakib. Have to admire Mashrafe's leadership skills too. He is a tactical genius. #AsiaCup2018
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) September 26, 2018
A great win for @bcbtigers over @TheRealPCB. Congratulations to the Bangladesh team and my @MIPaltan team mate @mustafiz90 for making it into the finals of the #AsiaCup2018. #PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/85wGm8tC8t
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) September 27, 2018
What a superb cricketer Mehidy Hasan is! Packed with all round talent & self confidence to boot. 👏👏🙏#AsiaCup
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) September 26, 2018
Brilliant team performance by Bangladesh to reach the finals. They have shown great character to win 2 must-win matches in a row. #PAKvBAN
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 26, 2018
Asghar and Sarfaraz captaincy leaving a lot to be desired. Arguably the main reason their teams arent playing the Asia Cup final vs India. Congrats Bangladesh
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) September 26, 2018
Digest this—since 2015, Bangladesh have played Pakistan in 4 ODI and defeated them every single time. This time without their two pillars—Tamim and Shakib. Wow. #PakvBan #AsiaCup
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 26, 2018
He might have just missed out on a century, but Mushiqur Rahim still claimed the Player of the Match award and also helped Bangladesh claim a place in the Asia Cup final.#PAKvBAN #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/BR00TDPzXw
— ICC (@ICC) September 26, 2018
Pakistan last 4 ODIs versus Bangladesh:
Lost by 37 runs
Lost by 8 wickets
Lost by 7 wickets
Lost by 79 runs#AsiaCup2018 #PAKvBAN— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) September 26, 2018
Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 37 runs to move into the final #AsiaCup2018 #BANvPAK #PAKvBAN #Cricket #TheCricketTimes pic.twitter.com/CIGZ9ecs0s
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 27, 2018
Great effort by Imam-ul-Haq but reality check for Pak leading into the Wc next year! #pakvban
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) September 26, 2018
This is what happens when you play with Zimbabwe the whole year. #PakvBan
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) September 26, 2018
They were Heroes in #CT17 and we praised them.
They played badly in #AsiaCup18 but we need to support the young team and Captain @SarfarazA_54
But
Selection must be based on Specialist for ODIs and also Saife must put focus on his batting and play in top order. #PAKvBAN
— Abdul Ghaffar 🇵🇰 (@GhaffarDawnNews) September 26, 2018
