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India thrashed Bangladesh by 41 runs runs in their second Super Four clash at the Dubai International stadium to qualify for the Asia Cup 2025 final on September 24. With this win India have garnered four points, which made them the first finalist of the Asia Cup 2025. This will be eleventh Asia Cup final appearance for India. India's qualification means Sri Lanka are out of the tournament now.
India become first finalist of Asia Cup 2025 with handsome win over Bangladesh
Batting first, India rode on Abhishek Sharma's blazing 37-ball 75 to post a challenging total of 168/6. In reply, Bangladesh were bundled out for 127 despite Saif Hassan's 61 off 51, thanks to Kuldeep Yadav's superlative 18/3
India will next face Sri Lanka on September 26 in their final Super Four clash. Meanwhile, Bangladesh will take on Pakistan in a do-or-die match, as whoever wins the game will become the other finalist of the ongoing tournament.
Abhishek's storm in India's winning cause
Team India, after being invited to bat first, posted a total of 168/6 from their 20 overs in an innings characterized by two contrasting halves. The first half was dominated by Abhishek Sharma, who was the primary architect behind India's belligerent start. He smashed 75 runs off just 37 balls, an innings studded with six fours and five huge sixes, ensuring India reached a powerful 96/2 at the halfway mark. Sharma was well-supported by Shubman Gill, who contributed 29 off 19 balls during their aggressive 77-run partnership, which lasted only six overs.
However, the innings drastically slowed down after Abhishek's dismissal as the Bangladesh bowlers successfully strangled the run rate in the second half. Rishad Hossain was particularly effective, taking two key wickets for just 27 runs and executing a sensational runout. Additionally, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mustafizur Rahman delivered economical spells and chipped in with one wicket each, ultimately restricting Team India's final total.
Kuldeep paralyses Bangladesh despite Saif's resistance
Team India's bowlers mounted immediate pressure on Bangladesh from the outset of their run-chase. Jasprit Bumrah set the tone by dismissing opener Tanzid Hasan for just one run. Number three batter Parvez Hossain Emon managed a contribution of 21 runs off 19 balls, sharing a fighting 42-run partnership with opener Saif Hassan to provide some early resistance.
However, India's spin trio, spearheaded by the experienced Kuldeep Yadav, effortlessly tore through Bangladesh's middle order to completely derail their chase. Saif Hassan fought a lone and valiant battle, anchoring the innings with a brilliant 69 off 51 balls, an innings that included three fours and five sixes. Despite his heroics, his mistimed shot off Bumrah (2/18) at a crucial stage sealed Bangladesh's fate in the decisive overs.
Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the bowlers for for India, grabbing a superb 3/8, including the key scalps of Parvez Hossain Emon and Rishad Hossain. Varun Chakravarthy (2/29) and Axar Patel (1/37) collectively added three more wickets to the tally. Finally, Tilak Varma delivered the knockout punch, as India wrapped up Bangladesh's innings for 127 in 19.3 overs, securing a comfortable victory.
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