Twitter Reactions: Bangladesh Tigers overhaul Pakistan and storm into the finals

By the end of the 45th over, the writing was on the walls for Pakistan.

Published - 27 Sept 2018, 01:23 IST | Updated - 27 Sept 2018, 01:23 IST

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Earlier Pakistan never lost to Bangladesh in the Asia Cup, when the tournament has taken place in the 50-overs format. However, Mashrafe Mortaza and Co soared above expectations and thumped their rivals by 37 runs in Abu Dhabi. Most importantly, with the thumping triumph, they also set up a final clash against India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Bangladesh arrest slump and post 239

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Bangladesh got off to the worst possible start having lost three wickets inside the first five overs. However, wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun cobbled together an incredible stand of 144 runs from 176 deliveries. Hasan Ali dismissed Mithun for 60 to break the ominous-looking partnership.

Imrul Kayes flattered to deceive, but the body blow came in the form of Mushfiqur’s wicket when the batter edged a delivery from Shaheen Shah Afridi into the gloves of Sarfraz Ahmed. The 31-year-old unluckily perished for 99 runs. Mahmudullah played sensibly and along with the lower-order batsmen, he shouldered the Tigers to a respectable score of 239 runs in 48.5 overs.

Bowlers lead jaw-dropping Bangla-victory

The Men in Green lost Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam and skipper Sarfraz Ahmed to find themselves in dire straits. Thereafter, Imam-ul-Haq and Shoaib Malik’s 67-run stand bailed the Men in Green. However, Mashrafe Mortaza took a stunning catch inside the circle to dismiss Malik. Shadab Khan had an agonizing 24-ball stint in the middle, which was ended by part-time medium pacer Soumya Sarkar.

Asif Ali and Imam carried on and reduced the target to 75 runs. Nevertheless, the Tigers clinched back the ascendancy by dismissing both within 10 balls. Imam scored 83 runs. By the end of the 45th over, the writing was on the walls for Pakistan. The required rate kept climbing at an alarming rate and Sarfraz’s men kept going downhill. Eventually, Bangladesh made it to their third Asia Cup final.

Here is how Twitter reacted

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🇧🇩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

Array re re !
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 26, 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

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

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

What a superb cricketer Mehidy Hasan is! Packed with all round talent & self confidence to boot. 👏👏🙏#AsiaCup
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) 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

PCT landed successfully on earth after Champions Trophy’17 #PAKvBAN
— Haseeb-ur-Rehman (@itshaseebrehman) September 26, 2018

For decades even we marvelled at how fearless and ferocious the Pakistanis were on the field. It’s a 180 degree switch now and the lack of self belief will be their undoing tonight #PakvsBan #AsiaCup
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) September 26, 2018

Sarfarz should learn how to make ur face during match and should resign till that #PAKvBAN
— Pakistani (@OTEFANS) September 26, 2018

#PakvBan this just in Pakistan will only play Zimbabwe, Hongkong, Dubai & Sri Lanka for the coming three years to improve their rating and make it competitive official statement by #PakistanCricket #AsiaCup18 #PCB
— Manthan Shah (@ManthanShah9988) September 26, 2018

In cricket #Indianfans are happy only on two occasions :
1. India wins
2. Pakistan loses, doesn't matter to whom 🤣🤣🤣🤣#starsportsindia #pakvban #pakvsban #INDvsPAK #indvpak #INDvPAK #asiacup2018 #BANVSPAK #BANvPAK
— ritulistic (@Ritulritul) September 26, 2018

Each team in Asia cup capatains performed well excluding Pakistan's captain Sarafaraz Ahmed. If he did and led team from the front, Pakistan wouldn't out of Asia cup final race today. Feels embarrassed 🙁🙁#PAKvBAN #AsiaCup2018
— Zahid Safi (@Moumandd) September 26, 2018

What an anticlimax it could be, no more 3rd IndVsPak match for the AsiaCup!!! This even can get worse if Ban win it against Ind in the Final #AsiaCup2018 #PAKvBAN
— Yashpalsinh Gohil (@yashpalgohil) September 26, 2018

Bangladesh deny Pakistan the experience of 3 defeats in 1 tournament against 1 team.😂😂 #PakvBan #IndvPak
— Cricket Sarcasms (@CricketSarcasms) 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

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

Big relief for Pakistan as they cannot face India in the finals. 3rd defeat in 10 days would've been embarrassing #PAKvBAN
— Hanit 🙂 (@unitedwayyy) September 26, 2018

Yesss! We are into the finals! Great bowling from Mustafiz & co.! Amazing journey for the tigers continues despite despite facing so many setbacks! #PAKvBAN #BANvPAK @BCBtigers
— Ahad Farhan (@farhan_nihilist) September 26, 2018