PHOTOS: Pakistan win Asia Cup by 2 runs

Bangladesh produced a fine bowling display before a late burst propelled Pakistan to 236 for nine in the final of the Asia Cup in Mirpur on Thursday. 

After recording two upsets in the form India and Sri Lanka already in the event, giant-killers Bangladesh are in with a golden opportunity to create history by halting Pakistan within a reachable target. 

But if not for some lacklustre bowling by Shahdat Hossain towards the end and useful contributions from Shahid Afridi (32) and wicket-keeper Sarfaraz Ahmed (46 not out), the target could have been much lower for Bangladesh. 

Shahdat gave away 19 runs in the final over of the innings and was guilty of bowling two no-balls, which not only boosted Pakistan's score but also their confidence.

Mohammad Hafeez (40), Umar Akmal (30) and Hammad Azam (30) all failed to capitalise on good starts. 

Young Sarfaraz top-scored for Pakistan with an unbeaten 46, while Shahid Afridi played a 22-ball 32-run cameo to wriggle Pakistan out of trouble.

For Bangaldesh, experienced pacer Mashrafe Mortaza (2-48)), and spin duo of Abdur Razak (2-26) and Shakib Al Hasan (2-39) scalped two wickets apiece, while Nazmul Hossain (1-36) and Mahmudullah (1-14) picked up one each.

Left-handed opener Nasir Jamshed was the first Pakistani batsman to depart in the fifth over, handing a simple catch to Mahmudullah at cover of a slower delivery from Mortaza while trying to clear the in-field. 

Five deliveries later, it turned out to be double celebrations for Bangladesh when Nazmul trapped veteran Younis Khan plumb in-front of the wicket. 

Hafeez and captain Misbah-ul-Haq (13) tried to resurrect the innings with a 31-run stand before the latter perished in search of a tight single.

A brilliant Nazmul caught Misbah short of the crease at the non-striker's end with a direct throw after the batsman hesitated in starting off the blocks for the single.

To make matters worse for Pakistan, Hafeez, who got a reprieve on seven, failed to capitalise on the chance after doing all the hard work and fell on 10 runs short of his fifty. 

Hafeez was caught by Nazmul off Abdur Razzak at mid-on as he tried to break the shackles. 

With Pakistan in shambles at 70 for four, Umar Akmal and Hammad Azam joined hands and did a small recovery act, stitching 59 runs before two more quick wickets spoiled their hard work.  

Both Akmal and Azam gave away their wickets after scoring identical 30s. 

Akmal played the role of a sheet-anchor and scored his runs off 45 balls with the help of just one six, while Azam tried his luck and clobbered three boundaries and a six during his 37-ball stay. 

Reduced to 133 for six, Afridi played a cameo and together with wicket-keeper Sarfaraz Ahmed added 45-runs in just 44 balls to stretch Pakistan's struggling innings.

Chasing a modest target the home team began on an impressive note, Tamim Iqbal (60) and Nazimuddin putting on 68 runs for the opening wicket. 

Afridi provided Pakistan with their first breakthrough, having the latter caught by Younis Khan. 

Tamim, who had scores of 64, 70 and 59 in his three previous matches, scored his fourth half century in succession, his 68-ball knock comprising of eight hits to the fence. 

Umar Gul eventually had him caught by Younis at extra cover. Tamim finished the Asia Cup with an aggregate of 253 runs in four matches (@ 63.25), the tournament's second highest scorer behind India's Virat Kohli (357 runs in three matches).