India gamers have fun the wicket of Bangladesh’s Tanzid Hasan
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Warm, sweaty evenings are the norm on this a part of the world. It is turning into as a lot of a norm for Abhishek Sharma to indicate his belligerent strokeplay for India within the T20 format. On Wednesday (September 24, 2025) night, the southpaw hammered 75 off 37 balls to help his aspect get to 168 for six and register a 41-run win in opposition to Bangladesh in a Super Four encounter of the Asia Cup on the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
By advantage of the win, India has certified for Sunday’s final. Bangladesh’s contest in opposition to Pakistan on Thursday is a digital semi-final with Sri Lanka knocked out.
Bangladesh was in with an opportunity within the chase after pulling issues again with the ball. Rishad Hossain effected Abhishek’s run-out along with claiming two scalps together with his leg-spin.
But the Jaker Ali-led outfit – full-time skipper Litton Das was out on account of a again pressure – may solely handle 127 in response. Saif Hassan’s 69 was the lone vibrant spot within the reply as India’s bowlers produced one other tremendous show. Kuldeep Yadav took three scalps whereas Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy claimed two every.
India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, second from left, efficiently run out Bangladesh’s Jaker Ali, proper, throughout the Asia Cup cricket match between India and Bangladesh at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri )
| Photo Credit:
Altaf Qadri
Hassan, who had smashed 61 in Bangladesh’s profitable chase of 169 over Sri Lanka final Saturday, didn’t help his trigger together with his involvement in Jaker’s run-out courtesy a direct hit from Suryakumar Yadav.
The recreation ought to have been in India’s pocket when Hassan, who reached his half-century off 36 balls, skied Varun twice within the sixteenth over, however Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson made a hash of those possibilities to delay issues. Nevertheless, Kuldeep struck off successive deliveries within the subsequent over and left Hassan with an excessive amount of to do.
The win was arrange by Abhishek and Shubman Gill’s opening stand of 77 runs. With a sluggish outfield enjoying its half, India was 17 for no loss after three overs.
But it proved to be the proverbial lull earlier than the storm. Gill went after left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed in a 21-run over. Abhishek, too, shifted gears within the fifth over. He greeted Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh’s highest wicket-taker on this format, with a six over mid-on. In the identical over, he waltzed down the monitor and slammed the pacer in the direction of the third man area for one more most.
By the time the Powerplay ended, India had sauntered to 72 for none with Abhishek on 46 off 19 deliveries. In the final over earlier than the fielding restrictions eased, Abhishek creamed Mohammad Saifuddin for 4 boundaries.
Rishad supplied his aspect some respite by getting Gill and Dube to gap out at long-off. Abhishek, unperturbed as ever, slog-swept Rishad for a six earlier than focusing on Saifuddin once more in a 16-run eleventh over.
Just when the opener appeared to be on track for a 3rd T20I ton, nonetheless, Rishad made his presence felt but once more. This time, his agility on the sector noticed him transfer sharply to his left at backward level and take purpose for Mustafizur to take away the bails on the non-striker’s finish. It was a small comfort for Rishad and Bangladesh ultimately.
Published – September 25, 2025 12:26 am IST