India walked into the Asia Cup final on Wednesday night with a 41-run victory over Bangladesh in Dubai, a result shaped by Abhishek Sharma’s blistering 75 and a clinical display of spin bowling that left their opponents short of answers.
Asked to bat first, India looked in no mood to settle in. Abhishek, timing everything sweetly, and Shubman Gill gave them 72 in the powerplay.
Abhishek’s 37-ball knock, laced with six fours and five sixes, set the early pace. Gill chipped in with 29 before Bangladesh managed to apply some brakes.
Rishad Hossain, with his leg-spin, picked up two wickets, and Mustafizur Rahman dismissed India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav. Hardik Pandya, though, ensured the finish was strong, making 38 from 29 balls to lift India to 168 for six — a total that always felt above par.
The reply from Bangladesh never carried conviction. Tanzid Hasan was bowled by Bumrah for one, and from there the innings lurched. Only Saif Hassan held his ground, carving a defiant 69 off 51 deliveries with five towering sixes. Emon’s 21 was the next best contribution.
Beyond them, the line-up collapsed: Shamim Hossain fell for a duck, captain Jaker Ali ran himself out, and the lower order never stitched together resistance. From 65 for three at the halfway point, Bangladesh lost their last seven wickets for just 62 runs.
India’s bowlers were relentless. Bumrah’s opening burst — four overs for just 18 runs and two wickets — set the tone. Kuldeep Yadav (three for 18) and Varun Chakravarthy (two for 29) suffocated the middle overs, while Tilak Varma chipped in with the final wicket to seal it with three balls left unused.
For India, it was another night of balance and control, despite some sloppy fielding late on.
“We wanted to bat first in a big game and see how we go,” Suryakumar said afterwards. Abhishek, named Player of the Match, played down his fireworks: “I just try to keep it simple. Look at the field, back the shots I work on.”
For Bangladesh, it was a familiar tale of one man fighting a lone battle. Saif’s innings kept the scoreboard respectable, but there was little support around him.
Jaker admitted as much: “After ten overs we bowled well, but chasing we never really got going. We’ll take the positives and move on quickly.”
There was at least one record to note: Mustafizur’s wicket made him Bangladesh’s leading bowler in T20 internationals, moving to 150 career wickets, ahead of Shakib Al Hasan. But that milestone offered little comfort.
India, unbeaten in the tournament, can now plan for Sunday’s final.
Bangladesh, by contrast, have no time to dwell. They meet Pakistan less than 24 hours later in what amounts to a semifinal for them. Win, and the dream of a final stays alive. Lose, and the campaign ends with regrets.