India crush Bangladesh by 41 runs to enter Asia Cup final

The gulf in quality between India and Bangladesh widened further on Wednesday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where the Men in Blue shrugged off four missed chances under the ring of fire to cruise into the Asia Cup final with a 41-run victory.

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

The win also ended Sri Lanka's hopes of qualification, turning Thursday’s clash between Pakistan and Bangladesh into a virtual semifinal, while India’s final Super 4 fixture against the Islanders on Friday is now reduced to a dead rubber.

Set 169, Bangladesh relied almost entirely on opener Saif Hassan, who capitalised on the four reprieves to compile a valiant 69 off 51 balls. His innings stood in sharp contrast to the struggles around him once India’s spinners took charge after Jasprit Bumrah removed Tanzid Hasan early.

Saif briefly found support from Parvez Hossain Emon (21), the only other batter to reach double digits as their 42-runstand raised Bangladeshs hopes for a while. But once Kuldeep Yadav broke through by dismissing Parvez, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy triggered a collapse.