Mistakes cost Pakistan

Tamim Iqbal put on a good partnership with Mohammad Ashraful © Getty Images

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Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik admitted the 10-wicket win over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup on Friday was a bitter-sweet experience for his team.

Openers Salman Butt (56) and Nasir Jamshed (52) hit unbeaten half-centuries to lead the team to victory in the last Super Four match, but their failure to reach the final of the tournament took much of the gloss off their success.

Pakistan carried no points into the Super Four stage from the first round of league matches and then lost to Sri Lanka in their opening match.

Although they subsequently beat India, Pakistan were still denied a spot in the final after their neighbours and rivals defeated Sri Lanka on Thursday.

"Our performance was very good today," said Malik after the Bangladesh win.

"The bowlers did their job and the openers played brilliantly. We played specialist openers in the last two matches and they have come good. They give us good options.

"But we made a few mistakes against Sri Lanka and that cost us a place in the final."

Malik missed the match against India due to dehydration, but he said he was now back to full health.

"I was struggling a bit. I had four bottles of drip and am fully fit now," he added.

Despite their shortcomings in the Asia Cup, the captain is already looking ahead to the ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will host in September.

"We have played good cricket," Malik said. "The youngsters have risen to the occasion. We are looking forward to the Champions Trophy."

Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful believes his team can take something positive from their participation in the Asia Cup.

"I think we played good cricket in this tournament except for the last two games," he said.

"In this match, the wicket was a little slow, but we could have got more runs.

"We looked good when Tamim (Iqbal) and I were at the crease. We had a bit of a partnership going, but my dismissal proved crucial.

"Overall, I think it has been a good experience. Raqibul Hasan and Alok Kapali perhaps were the standout performers."