Afridi inspires Pakistan to big win in Asia Cup

Shahid Afridi © AFP

Skipper Shahid Afridi smashed a glorious 124 off 60 balls as Pakistan ended their Asia Cup campaign with a 139-run rout of Bangladesh on Monday.
Afridi plundered 17 boundaries and four sixes to lead Pakistan to their highest one-day total of 385-7, before Bangladesh replied with 246-5 in the day-night match.
Junaid Siddique top-scored for Bangladesh with 97 after sharing a second-wicket stand of 160 with Imrul Kayes, who made 66.
It was Pakistan's lone victory in the four-nation tournament and came after India and defending champions Sri Lanka had already qualified for Thursday's final with two wins each.
Bangladesh return home beaten in all three matches.
India and Sri Lanka clash in the last league match on Tuesday to prepare for the final at the Rangiri stadium in Dambulla.
Pakistan's total surpassed their previous best of 371-9 against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in 1996, a match in which Afridi cracked the fastest one-day century ever off 37 balls.
Pakistan, who had lost narrowly to both India and Sri Lanka, used the game to display their batting power after openers Imran Farhat (66) and Shahzaib Hasan (50) put on 81 by the 13th over.
There was another half-century from Umar Akmal, who made 50 during a fifth-wicket stand of 136 with Afridi.
Pakistan hammered 120 runs in the last nine overs as the Bangladesh bowling wilted under the spectacular assault.
Pakistan's innings was marred by the bizarre dismissal of Umar Amin, who was run out by Mohammad Mahmudullah while moving from the off to the leg-side at the non-striker's end after completing a single.
Amin's bat was in the air as he walked across the popping crease and was clearly not trying to steal a single when Mahmudullah broke the stumps.
Umpires Billy Doctrove and Bruce Oxenford referred the decision to the TV umpire, who declared Amin run out.