Pakistan win Asia Cup

Paceman Shahadat Hossain needed to score four from the final ball from Aizaz Cheema but could only manage a leg bye. It completed a forgettable day for Hossain after wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed took 19 from his final over of the Pakistan innings to help them to 236 for nine.

While that still seemed below-par for Misbah-ul-Haq's side, it proved just enough following a curious chase from the hosts. Half-centuries from Shakib Al Hasan (68) and Tamim Iqbal (60) provided the thrust but the asking rate was allowed to balloon by some laboured batting at the other end.

After opener Nazimuddin took 52 balls to make 16 the Tigers' innings was further slowed by Nasir Hossain's 28 from 63 balls. Despite being just four wickets down when Hossain finally departed in the 43rd over, Bangladesh had let the asking rate rise to nine an over on a tricky surface.

Their hopes then looked dead and buried soon after when Shakib was bowled by Cheema (three for 46). But Bangladesh rallied again with Mashrafe Mortaza and Mahmadullah finding the boundaries late on to leave them needing nine from the final over.

The equation was reduced further to four from two balls but Cheema then crucially bowled Abdur Razzak before Hossain failed to get the four runs he needed from the final ball. It meant a second Asia Cup success for Pakistan after they also claimed their first title in Bangladesh in 2000.

"This was a pressure game, the one who has the nerves in control will perform better," Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez said.

"The Bangladeshi team, they played really well. They had all the scenarios they were looking for.

"In all the matches they were chasing well. We were very sure that the bowlers in the end could win the game. Umar Gul and Aizaz Cheema really bowled well in the end."

Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim paid tribute to Shahadat Hossain for his key role in finishing off the match.

"If Shahadat had given 10 less runs in the last over than things could have been different," said Mushfiq, who was in tears in the dressing room.

"I was not weeping for myself but for the fans who backed us so much in the game."

Shakib, who also took two wickets for Bangladesh alongside Mortaza and Razzak, was adjudged the player of the tournament.

Earlier, Ahmed produced a match-turning innings as he finished unbeaten on 46 following his late onslaught which elevated Pakistan to a score they could defend. That had seemed unlikely midway through the innings after their batsmen struggled in the face of an energetic display from the hosts.

Pakistan had already lost Nasir Jamshed and Younus Khan inside the opening six overs before Misbah-ul-Haq's slight hesitation was punished by Nasir Hossain's direct hit. That left Pakistan 55 for three and, following their flying start, Bangladesh were able to focus on applying the pressure on an exposed middle-order.

It worked too as Mohammad Hafeez's frustration, after managing 40 from 87, finally got the better of him when he was caught trying to clear the infield off Razzak before Hammad Azam offered a simple return chance to Shakib.

Hard-hitting duo Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi both got into their 30s but failed to go on to leave Pakistan in trouble at 178 for seven. Ahmed then took it upon himself to haul his side past 200 and, with the tail providing just enough support, then launched a blistering final-over attack which proved crucial.