Abhishek, spinners sparkle as India enter Asia Cup final

India rode ona scintillating fifty from Abhishek Sharma and crafty bowling from Kuldeep Yadav (3/18) and Varun Chakrav-arthy (2/29) to beat Bangladesh by 4lrunsand qualify for the final of the T20 Asia Cup in Dubai on ‘Wednesday.

- Somshuvra Laha

History tells us that Bangladesh get too excited for their own good, especially in chases. And even though they had taken down a similar score against Sri Lanka — who have now been knocked out —a few days ago, this Indian bowling attack is far superior. Opener Saif Hassan tried holding one end witha resilient 51-ball 69, but apart from a19-ball 21 from Parvez Hos-sain, no other Bangladesh batter could reach double figures.

Itwas in stark contrast to how India started, raising 77 runs for the first wicket thanks to yet another blitz from Sharma, who ultimately finished with a 37-ball 75. Chakravarthy was welcomed with three boundaries in his first over but he bounced back with the wicket of Shamim Hossain after Kuldeep and Axar Patel slowed down Bangladesh. Between the three spinners, India took six wickets for 84 runs in 12 overs.