Bangladesh wins maiden Asiad gold in cricket

Afghanistan made 118 for eight off 20 overs,thanks to an unbeaten 38 off 36 balls by Mohammad Asghar and a fighting 25 by Shabbir Ahmed.

Needing 19 runs off the last two overs,reliable offspinner Sadeq conceded 17 runs in the penultimate over which dashed Afghanistan’s hopes.

“I tried my level best and had a good talk with my partner before the 19th over,” Shabbir said. “I didn’t feel any pressure but I am sure my teammates in the dressing room were tense.”

Sadeq had brought Afghanistan right into gold medal contention in successive overs when he bowled experienced test batsman Mohammad Ashraful (10) and then Chowdhry Shuvagatohom holed out in the deep.

However,Shabbir and Naeem Islam (34 not out) kept their nerves in the last two overs to record a famous victory with a sixth wicket stand of 44 runs.

“Afghanistan fought really hard,but it’s exciting for us that we have won our first ever gold medal at the Asian Games,” Shabbir said.

Afghanistan,which defeated favorites Pakistan in the semifinals,earlier posted a decent total after captain Mohammad Nabi won the toss and chose to bat.

Asghar held the innings together despite wickets falling around him. He hit fast bowler Shahadat Hussain (2-32) for three successive boundaries in the last over which gave Afghanistan decent total to defend.

Ahmed also lifted the scoring rate in the 17th over with two pulled fours and a straight six off Nazmul Hossain before he became one of Ashraful’s (2-3) two victims in the next over.

“I had lost hope in between the run chase,but Shabbir brought us right back into the match with those two sixes,” said Ashraful,who has experienced some highs in international cricket,including scoring test match hundreds and guiding Bangladesh to a famous one-day international upset win over World Cup winner Australia. “It’s thrilling to be part of the first ever Asian Games gold medal winning team.”

The Bangladesh captain said pressure was on his teammates,”as all of them were playing their first ever final in the major tournament.”

Earlier,Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the bronze playoff.