At Mirpur, March 22, 2012 (day/night). Pakistan won by two runs. Toss: Bangladesh.
A final worthy of the occasion was edged by Pakistan, who drew on their greater experience and
produced one of their best fielding displays in recent memory. Younis Khan's three catches and
Hammad Azam's agility (which atoned for a dropped chance) pressed home the advantage won by
Pakistan's three spinners. Saeed Ajmal was deadly on a pitch that had slowed to a standstill: what
seemed a modest total - rescued from 133 for six by a 22-ball blast by Shahid Afridi and an
enterprising innings from wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed - turned out to be defendable. Tamim Iqbal
hit his fourth successive fifty, and Shakib Al Hasan produced the goods yet again, but the rest
couldn't wriggle out of the jam, and Bangladesh were unable to manage nine from the final over, delivered by Aizaz Cheema. There was controversy off the first ball, when Cheema seemed to impede
Mahmudullah as he was looking for a second run, but the umpires decided the obstruction was
unintentional; a later, official, complaint predictably came to nothing. Bangladesh's young team shed
tears after their narrow defeat, and looked inconsolable, despite their two splendid victories earlier in
the tournament.
Man of the Match: Shahid Afridi. Man of the Series: Shakib Al Hasan.