Bangladesh have set India a target of 223 runs to win in the Asia Cup final at the Dubai International Cricket stadium.
India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss at Dubai and elected to bowl first. Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza sprung a surprise early on with all-rounder Mehidy Hasan coming out to open the innings with Liton Das. The pair have started in brisk fashion and have added 116 runs from the first twenty overs of the innings.
Das has raced away to a 33-ball half-century with the help of six boundaries and two sixes. The pair’s 120-run stand was eventually broken by Kedar Jadhav who dismissed Mehidy Hasan for 32. Imrul Kayes (2) then followed Hasan back to the pavilion after being trapped on the pads by Yuzvendra Chahal.
Mushfiqur Rahim (5) did not last long at the crease either and became Jadhav’s second victim after being caught by Jasprit Bumrah. The Tigers soon lost a fourth wicket in the form of Mohammad Mithun (2) who was run-out as they went from 120-0 to 139-4. Das then brought up his maiden ODI ton off just 87 deliveries. Mahmudullah (4) lasted only 16 balls before becoming Kuldeep Yadav’s first victim of the day. Das’ 121-run innings came to an end in the 41st over after he was stumped off the bowling of Kuldeep.
Mortaza (7) and Nazmul Hossain (7) were unable to create any significant impact either as the Tigers slid to 213-8. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 222 runs in the penultimate over.
In their chase, Shikhar Dhawan (15) and Ambati Rayudu (29) were both dismissed with India on 46-2 in just seven overs. But captain Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik put on a 37-run stand for the fourth wicket before the skipper was dismissed for 48.
MS Dhoni then fell for 36, becoming India’s fifth wicket to fall with the Men In Green needing 60 runs in 12 overs.
But Karthik and MS Dhoni restored the innings with a vital unbeaten fifty-run stand to give them a fighting chance.
In what is their third Asia Cup final appearance in the last four editions, Bangladesh take on defending champions India for the crown of the continent’s best at the Dubai International Cricket stadium.
The Tigers booked their place in the summit clash with a thrilling 37-run win over pre-tournament favourites Pakistan in the Super Four stage. India, on the other hand, are the only unbeaten team in the competition but were held to a dramatic tie by Afghanistan in their final Super Four encounter.
Will Bangladesh get their hands on a maiden Asia Cup title or will six-time champions India add another title to their kitty? Do not miss any of the action from this mouthwatering tussle by following the ball-by-ball updates in the link below.
