The BRICS TimesIndia marched into the Asia Cup final after Abhishek Sharma’s blazing 75 powered a 41-run victory over Bangladesh in Dubai.
India booked their spot in the Asia Cup final on Wednesday with a commanding 41-run triumph over Bangladesh in Dubai. Abhishek Sharma stole the show with a fiery 75 off 37 balls, as India posted 168-6 after a strong opening stand. Despite losing momentum mid-innings, Indian spinners controlled the chase, bowling Bangladesh out for 127. The win ended Sri Lanka’s campaign, leaving Thursday’s clash between Pakistan and Bangladesh to decide India’s opponent in the Sunday finale.
Abhishek has been on an incredible run in his young T20I career, scoring 783 runs in just 22 games at a strike rate of 197.72. He smashed six towering sixes and five boundaries in his innings before being run out after a mix-up with skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
“Into the finals,” India head coach Gautam Gambhir posted on social media, sparking viral reactions.
“I was just doing my job,” said Abhishek. “I have told before that I do not think much when I go to bat and just play with the flow. If the ball is in my range, even the first ball, I go for it.”
Abhishek, alongside Shubman Gill who scored 29, started cautiously before unleashing on spinner Nasum Ahmed, hammering 21 runs in a single over. Gill’s wicket to Rishad Hossain did not slow Abhishek, who raised his fifty in only 25 balls. Rishad struck again dismissing Shivam Dube, before Abhishek and Suryakumar fell in quick succession, leaving India at 114-4.
Hardik Pandya steadied the innings with a crucial 38 off 29 balls, including four boundaries and a six, ensuring India reached a challenging total.
In the chase, Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Tanzid Hasan for one in the second over, but Saif Hassan and Parvez Hossain Emon stitched a 42-run stand. Kuldeep Yadav broke through by removing Parvez, and from there Bangladesh slipped as Indian spinners dominated.
Saif Hassan played a brave knock of 69 despite surviving four dropped chances, but once he fell to Bumrah in the 18th over, Bangladesh’s hopes were crushed. They were bowled out in 19.3 overs. Kuldeep shone again with figures of 3-18, taking his tally to 12 wickets in five matches.
Bangladesh were led by stand-in captain Jaker Ali after Litton Das was ruled out due to injury. “We can take a lot of positives from this game,” Jaker said. “Let’s see what kind of combination we go with on Thursday, but we will give our best.”
