Bangladesh Reach The Finals Of Asia Cup At The Cost Of India

Bangaldesh reached only their second final of a multi-nation tournament when they beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in Dhaka on Tuesday. With the win, Bangladesh sets up a summit clash with Pakistan for the Asia Cup, which will be played on Thursday.

Bangladesh was set a target of 233 which got reduced to 212 off 40 overs after rain delayed the start of Bangladeshi innings. Bangladesh began the chase in a disastrous manner losing three wickets with not many runs on the board. Shakib Al Hasan who joined Tamim Iqbal with score on 40 ensured that there was no collapse. Tamim in the meantime was in his element batting well and playing some delightful shots. Scoring briskly, Tamim ensured that the Bangladesh run chase didn’t fall behind in the required run rate. When Tamim fell for a 57 ball 59 and the Bangladesh score on 116, all hopes rested on Shakib. Shakib continued his good form to score yet another fifty but his departure with Bangladesh still needing another 77 gave Sri Lanka hope. But Nasir Hossain with support from Mahmudullah ensured that there was no further set back. The sea of green erupted as Nasir hitting the winning runs.

Sri Lanka’s woes at the top continued as their top three fell for only 32 runs, becoming Nazmul Hossain’s victims. Kapugedera scored 62 and tried to hold the innings together with Thirimane who made 48. Upul Tharanga provided some late flourish with a 44 ball 48, but on a pitch where bigger totals had been chased 232 was never going to be enough.

India who was anxiously following the result of the match, will now go home, having failed to make the final.