India beat Bangladesh to reach Asia Cup final

Dubai, Super Four, and the Asia Cup

India 168-6 (20 overs): A Sharma 75 (37), Rishad 2-27

Bangladesh 127 (19.3 overs): Saif Hassan 69 (51), K Yadav 3-18

By 41 runs, India won.

With a 41-run victory over Bangladesh, reigning champions India secured a spot in the Asia Cup final.

With the victory, India moves two points clear of Sri Lanka, who have lost their first two matches in the Super Fours, and moves them two points clear of the table.

In the penultimate group game on Thursday, Pakistan and Bangladesh will square off against one another, with the winner of the match playing India in the final.

Abhishek Sharma, the opener, scored his second half-century in as many games to start India’s innings in Dubai.

Together with Shubman Gill, he won a powerful first-wicket stand, totaling 46 (19) on the powerplay. Before being run out in the 12th over, he continued to score 75 (37), including six fours and five sixes.

Before all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s 38 (29) set Bangladesh a target of 169, his dismissal as India’s third-rounder caused a mini collapse as they lost 3-17 in 3.33 overs.

Saif Hassan, the opener for Bangladesh, top-scored with 69 (51), including five sixes, in a quick 50-run effort.

He lacked support, though only Parvez Hossain Emon, who had 21 off 19, the only other player to achieve double figures, had.