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Asia Cup: India beat Bangladesh by 41 runs to reach final
Having made 168 for six on the back of opener Abhishek Sharma's 75 off 35 balls (6 fours, 5 sixes) and Hardik Pandya's 38 off 29 balls, India restricted Bangladesh to 127 all out
- PUBLISHED: Wed 24 Sept 2025, 10:10 PM UPDATED: Wed 24 Sept 2025, 11:51 PM
India romped to an emphatic 41-run win over Bangladesh in their second Super Four game at the Asia Cup in Dubai on Wednesday.
India entered Sunday's final with their second straight-win in the Super Four, while Bangladesh will face a make-or-break clash against Pakistan on the same ground on Thursday.
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The winner of Thursday's match will set up a final clash in Dubai, scheduled for Sunday.
India's win also ended Sri Lanka's hopes of reaching the final.
Having made 168 for six on the back of opener Abhishek Sharma's 75 off 35 balls (6 fours, 5 sixes) and Hardik Pandya's 38 off 29 balls, India restricted Bangladesh to 127 all out.
Opener Saif Hasan made 69 off 51 balls, but the rest of the batters had no answer to the India's bowling attack at Dubai International Stadium.
Spinners Kuldeep Yadav (4-0-18-3) and Varun Chakravarthy (4-0-29-2) were outstanding once again, especially the left-arm spinner who sparked the Bangladesh collapse by dismissing Parvez Hossain Emon (21) in the seventh over.
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah (4-0-18-2) regained his rhythm after a poor performance against Pakistan on Sunday.
Abhishek, the tournament's top-scorer with 248 from five matches, was named man-of-the match after his second straight half-century.
"I was just doing my job. I have told before as well that I do not think much (while going in to bat) and go with the flow," the left-handed opener said.
"If it is in my range, even if it is the first ball, I go for it and try to get the powerplay (going) for my team."
Abhishek, who has hit 17 sixes in the tournament so far, then revealed the secret to his big shots.
"I have done a lot of work in practice sessions - I feel that is the time when batters get time to work on themselves," he said.
"I had a plan that if I have to play with such intent, I have to practice really hard for it. When you play too many shots in the nets, there are chances you can get out. It was in my mind not to get out while playing too many shots."
While Abhishek and his team have an inconsequential Super Four game against Sri Lanka on Friday, Bangladesh will be back on the field on Thursday, less than 24 hours after their game against India, for the crunch match against Pakistan.
"We have another game tomorrow. We have to keep in our mind that we can win this match and qualify for the final," said Jaker Ali, Bangladesh captain.
"We will talk with the team management and let's see what combination they give. We will give our best tomorrow."
Bangladesh have won only five of their 25 matches against Pakistan in T20 Internationals.
Rituraj Borkakoty is Sports Editor and has spent more than two decades writing on his sporting heroes. He also loves an underdog story, so if you have one, share it with him. He would love to bring it to life.