DUBAI; India secured a place in the Asia Cup 2025 final after defeating Bangladesh in a commanding Super Fours clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
The victory ended Sri Lanka’s campaign in the tournament while confirming India’s spot in the title decider.
Chasing a modest target of 169, Bangladesh managed only 127 in 19.3 overs despite a valiant half-century from opener Saif Hassan. Saif top-scored with 69 off 51 balls, including five sixes and five fours.
He also shared a crucial 42-run partnership with Parvez Hossain Emon, who contributed 21 from 19 deliveries. The remainder of the Bangladesh batting lineup failed to reach double figures against India’s disciplined bowling.
Kuldeep Yadav led India’s attack, taking three wickets for 18 runs in four overs. Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy took two wickets each, while Axar Patel and Tilak Varma claimed one apiece.
Bangladesh’s stand-in captain Jaker Ali’s decision to bowl first backfired as India posted 168/6 in their 20 overs.
India’s openers, Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, provided a flying start with a 77-run partnership in seven overs. Gill scored 29 off 19 balls, while Abhishek top-scored with a blistering 75 off 37 deliveries, featuring five sixes and six fours.
Hardik Pandya (38 off 29) and Axar Patel (10*) then put on 39 runs for the sixth wicket to stabilize the innings.
For Bangladesh, Rishad Hossain was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2/27, with support from Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman, and Mohammad Saifuddin.
India will now face the winner of the other Super Four matches in the final, but they will first take on Sri Lanka in their last Super Four game on Friday.
