Asia Cup Review: Afghanistan's thrilling tie with India wins best match of the tournament

Denzil Pinto 20:01 29/09/2018
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    • Asghar Afghan (right) celebrates with his team-mates

    With India crowned champions for the seventh time on Friday night, the 14th edition of the Asia Cup didn’t fail to disappoint with plenty of drama on the field.

    All roads have led to Dubai International Stadium and Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium in the last fortnight as thousands watched the elite stars live.

    With the competition done and dusted, we take a look at the best matches over the course of the tournament.

    BEST MATCH

    INDIA V AFGHANISTAN (SUPER FOUR)

    Nothing was riding on the clash given the Men in Blue had secured their place in the final and Afghanistan, who lost agonizingly to Pakistan, had already been eliminated. Yet, it was anything but as the two sides played out a thrilling tie in Dubai. With India needing seven off the final over in their chase of 253, Rashid Khan kept his cool and got Ravindra Jadeja out for 25 in the penultimate delivery to secure the 36th tie in ODI cricket. Although they were unable to clinch victory, pictures of Afghan players celebrating on the field was further evidence on why they deserved Test status.

    WORTHY MENTIONS

    AFGHANISTAN V PAKISTAN (SUPER FOUR)

    Asghar Afghan’s side looked on course to secure their first ever win against their neighbours with the Men In Green needing 10 from six in their chase of 258. Aftab Alam was given the ball but by his third delivery the game as all but over as Shoaib Malik struck six and four in consecutive deliveries to seal a nervy three-wicket win to get Pakistan’s Super Four campaign off to a winning start.

    CRICKET-ASIA-CUP-PAK-AFG

    INDIA V BANGLADESH, FINAL

    A final that had plenty of drama with The Men in Blue coming out on top to win their seventh Asian title. It could have been so different had Kedar Jadhav not got that leg-bye off the last ball with the scores level.

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