Bangladesh upset Pakistan in Asia Cup

Bangladesh qualified for the final of the Asia Cup after beating Pakistan by five wickets on Wednesday.

Pakistan recovered from 4-28 to post 7-129, before Bangladesh reached a winning total of 5-131 in 19.1 overs.

Mahmudullah secured victory, and a place in Sunday's final against India, with a deep mid-wicket boundary.

Mahmudullah was unbeaten on 22, but Soumya Sarkar (48) provided the platform for the victory.

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir had figures of 2-26 and kept his side's hopes alive until Mashrafe Mortaza (12 not out) hit him for two consecutive boundaries in the 18th over.

Those two boundaries off a searing yorker and a bouncer came after Shakib Al Hasan perished to a reverse sweep shot, piling the pressure on Pakistan.

Shakib was later reprimanded for the reaction to his dismissal, as he took a swipe at the already broken stumps with his bat. 

The allrounder quickly apologised to the on-field umpires, however he was deemed to have breached the section of the ICC Code of Conduct that relates "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match".

With 18 runs needed in the last two overs, fast bowler Mohammad Sami conceded two no-balls, one of which Mahmudullah cut past point to the boundary. It left Bangladesh needing just three runs to win in the last over.

Mahmudullah, who was at the crease during Bangladesh's two-run defeat by Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup final, then hit a boundary to the wild delight of the home crowd.

However, Sarkar's run-a-ball 48 against a high-quality Pakistan attack, despite losing Tamim Iqbal for seven and in-form Sabbir Rahman for 14, was the key to Bangladesh's success.

Earlier, Sarfraz Ahmed led Pakistan's recovery with an unbeaten 58. He and Shoaib Malik, who scored 41, combined in a 70-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Electing to bat first, Pakistan was 4-28 after 10 overs, before the duo counterattacked to give the bowlers a decent total to defend.

Bangladesh fast bowler Al-Amin Hossain claimed 3-25 and caused the early damage for Pakistan, helped by his new-ball partner Taskin Ahmed, 1-14.

Left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny finished with 2-35.