Asia Cup 2012

Bangladesh fell agonisingly short of winning their first ever major tournament as Pakistan handed the bitter pill to their less experienced opponent by winning the Asia Cup final by 2 runs. Bangladesh needed 9 runs to win the cup in the final over with 3 wickets in hand, but they could only manage 6 runs losing one more wicket in the last over bowled by Aizaz Cheema.

Bangladesh were chasing 237 runs to win the Asia Cup on home soil after a final over run bleed by Shahadat Hossain rescued Pakistan from a precarious position to a respectable 236 in 50 overs. Bangladesh fought hard throughout the match, but their too cautious approach finally led to their downfall as they were uncharacteristically subdued for most part of the chase. Nazimuddin (16 from 52) and surprisingly Nasir Hossain (28 from 63) consumed too many deliveries, but could not build on their starts.

The go slow approach created pressure on the other end and despite Tamim Iqbal's (60 from 68) and Shakib Al Hasan's (68 from 72) breezy innings, Bangladesh left too much to do in the final overs which they could not manage against a disciplined Pakistan attack.

This is the 2nd Asia Cup win for Pakistan.