New Delhi:
India clinched the Asia Cup 2018 in a nail-biting finish as fans witnessed a hamstring injury-struck Kedar Jadhav seal the deal along with Kuldeep Yadav after Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja and Dinesh Karthik played crucial knocks to hand India the Asia Cup 2018 trophy. However, India would know that their middle-order crisis have not ended in the absence of their backbone Virat Kohli, as the middle order failed to take the Men in Blue towards the winning line.
India vs Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2018 final was off to a flyer after Bangladesh opener Mehidy Hasan and Liton Das started brightly by posting 120 runs for the opening stand. Liton Das especially was at his best as he smashed a scintillating 121 off 117 balls. However, the elegant opener didn't get much of a support from other Bangladeshi batsmen as they were bowled out for just 222 runs.
Mashrafe Morataza handed out a huge surpirse by sending out Mehidy Hasan to open the Bangladesh innings and both of the openers didn't disappoint as they smashed Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and co. all over the park.
Bangladesh have defied the odds to lock horns with the Rohit Sharma-led Men in Blue in the finals. Whereas, Indian openers have been in brilliant form with Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan putting up the majority of runs for them. However, the Indian middle order still remain a mystery as their inconsistencies have been a major point of concern for the team and the fans.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh bowlers – Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossan and Mehidy Hassan have been impressive throughout the Asia Cup 2018 and if they can replicate their performance against Pakistan then this final could become a nail-biter.
India go to the finals as the favourites whereas Bangladesh would be eyeing a perfect revenge for their final defeats in the Asia Cup 2016 and the Nidahas Trophy 2018.
ALSO READ: India vs Bangladesh: What happened in the previous finals
# This is the best final in some time now. Bangladesh fought their hearts out, but kudos to India as they kept their nerves to seal the tie. Rohit Sharma has a big smile on his face.
# 49.6 Overs: They have done it! India have clinched the Asia Cup 2018!! What a game! What a match! Cricket lives on!
# 49.5 Overs: Kuldeep takes a tight single...scores levels!
# 49.4 Overs: DOT!
# 49.3 Overs: Kuldeep tonks it and takes a two...much needed.
# 49.2 Overs: Kedar Jadhav knocks it for a single. 4 from 4 needed
# 49.1 Overs: Kuldeep Yadav takes a single. Kedar Jadhav on strike now
# Ball by ball updates now...
# India are 217/7 after 49 Overs. 6 runs needed from 6 balls. Nail-biter this. Phew!
# 48.1 Overs: OUT! The FIZZ strikes again as Bhuvneshwar Kumar walks back to the hut! Crucial moment now. Bhuvneshwar c Rahim b Mustafizur 21(31)
# After 48 Overs, India are 214/6.
# Kedar Jadhav walks in yet again.
# 47.1 Overs: Bangladesh have taken a review for a caught behind. Jadeja is the batsman! Was there any sound? OUT! Jadeja c Rahim b Rubel 23(33)
# After 47 Overs, India are 210/5.
# After 46 Overs, India are 205/5. Need 18 off 24 balls.
# 45.3 Overs: SIX! Bhuvneshwar clears it with ease. Straight over the sight-screen!
# After 45 Overs, India are 197/5. Need 26 off 30 balls.
# India need 28 runs off 33 balls.
# After 42 Overs, India are 186/5
# After 41 Overs, India are 178/5
# After 40 Overs, India are 172/5
# Kedar Jadhav is walking back to the dug out as retired hut. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the new man in!
# After 38 Overs, India are 167/5.
# After 37 Overs, India are 162/5.
# 36.1 Overs: OUT! Dhoni walks! Is this the match-winning wicket for Bangladesh?? Rohit in the stands can't believe it. Dhoni c Rahim b Mustafizur 36(67)
# After 36 Overs, India are 160/4.
# 48.3 Overs: FOUR! Kedar Jadhav sweeps it superbly. He is in pain, definitely!
# Kedar Jadhav is holding his hamstring there, looks in some pain as the physios check on him. Not good signs for India.
# After 35 Overs, India are 154/4.
# After 34 Overs, India are 152/4.
# After 33 Overs, India are 147/4.
# 32.2 Overs: SIX! Boom! Straight at the sight screen! Kedar Jadhav clears the boundary!
# After 32 Overs, India are 139/4.
# 30.4 overs: OUT! Big wicket for Bangladesh. Mahmudullah completely deceived DK and he turned his back the moment it hit his pads. Karthik lbw b Mahmudullah 37(61)
# After 30 Overs, India are 135/3, with Dhoni and Karthik at the crease.
# After 29 oversIND 134-3
# After 28 overs, India 129-3
# After 27 overs, India 125-3
# After 26 overs, India are 120/3
# After 25 overs, India are 112/3; Dhoni 17(31); Karthik 27(43)
# After 24 overs, India are 105/3
# After 23 Overs, India are 99/3
# After 22 Overs, India are 98/3.
# After 21 Overs, India are 97/3
# 20.4 Overs: SIX! HUUUUUGEEEEEEE!!! Dinesh Karthik sends it 84 metres back! Phew!
# After 20 Overs, India are 90/3.
# After 19 Overs, India are 88/3.
# After 18 Overs, India are 85/3.
# After 17 Overs, India are 83/3. New man at the crease is Mahendra Singh Dhoni!
# 16.4 Overs: OUT! Rohit Sharma goes and the crowd is silent! Pin drop silent! Rohit c Nazmul Islam b Rubel 48(55)
# After 16 Overs, India are 83/2.
# After 15 Overs, India are 79/2.
# 14.6 Overs: Oh! What happened there. Complete mix-up and either of DK or Rohit were gone there, however, both are safe...somehow!
# 14.1 Overs: SIX! Rohit hooks it over the fine leg fielder.
# After 14 Overs, India are 73/2.
# After 13 Overs, India are 67/2.
# Looks like India are taking things easy, not chasing stuff too aggressively and that is the right way to go.
# After 12 Overs, India are 63/2.
# After 11 Overs, India are 58/2.
# After 10 Overs, India are 57/2.
# 9.2 Overs: FOUR! Lovely punch towards extra cover by Rohit Sharma! Classy!
# After 9 Overs, India are 52/2.
# After 8 Overs, India are 48/2
# Dinesh Karthik, the hero of Nidahas Trophy 2018 final against Bangladesh walks in!
# 7.3 Overs: OUT! Rayudu edges it and Mushfiqur takes a dolly behind the stumps. Rayudu c Rahim b Mortaza 2(7)
# After 7 Overs, India are 45/1.
# After 6 Overs, India are 43/1.
# 5.6 Overs: SIX! Blown away! Phew that was a stunning hit by Rohit Sharma.
# After 5 Overs, India are 35/1. Ambati Rayudu the new man on crease.
# 4.4 Overs: OUT! Too much aggressive maybe? Dhawan departs for cheap! Dhawan c Soumya Sarkar b Nazmul Islam 15(14)
# 4.3 Overs: FOUR! Swept away in style by Dhawan!
# 4.1 Overs: SIX! That's a biggie by the Hitman! Out of the park!
# After 4 Overs, India are 24/0
# 3.4 Overs: FOUR! Dhawan gets the room to free his arms and smashes it towards the cover point region! Bullet!
# After 3 Overs, India are 17/0.
# 2.3 Overs: FOUR! Rohit blasts the short delivery towards square leg boundary!
# Mehidy Hasan is getting some turn out off this broken and tired Dubai pitch.
# After 2 Overs, India are 12/0. Superb start by the FIZZ!
# Mustafizur 'the fizz' Rahman from the other end for Bangladesh.
# After 1 over, India are 10/0
# 0.4 Overs: FOUR! Rohit Sharma punishes the poor delivery to fine leg boundary.
# 0.2 Overs: FOUR! A Dhawan special cut to start the boundary proceedings for Men in Blue.
# Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan walks to crease for the 223-run chase for India. Mehidy Hasan to start for Bangladesh.
# I think we got a good start. We had a mix-up and three run-outs which changed things for us. Hopefully we an pull it back with a few quick wickets upfront. We wanted to accomodate a batsman in front of the other spinners, hence the change in the opening combination with Mehidy. Lots of good changes in the spin department, Mehidy has done well, Shakib is missed. Mahmudullah has done well too and I have had a great time in the dressing room. If we get early wickets, anything is possible today, says Bangladesh spin bowling coach and former Indian player Sunil Joshi.
# India need 223 runs to win!
And that's a wrap of the Bangladesh innings. #TeamIndia require 223 to win the #AsiaCup #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/lQSQZnqSLV
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 28, 2018
# 48.3 Overs: OUT! That's all from Bangladeshi batters! Rubel b Bumrah 0(2)
# 48.1 Overs: OUT! Dhoni at it again! Soumya Sarkar departs after some clean work by Rayudu and Dhoni. Soumya Sarkar run out (Rayudu/Dhoni) 33(45)
# After 48 Overs, Bangladesh are 221/8.
# The runs have stopped flowing for Bangladesh as India eyes for a strong, economical finish against the Tigers.
# After 47 Overs, Bangladesh are 213/8.
# 46.4 Overs: OUT! Run Out! Poor mix-up by both and Nazrul Islam is the victim! Nazmul Islam run out (Manish Pandey) 7(13)
# After 46 Overs, Bangladesh are 210/7.
# 44.1 Overs: 200 up for Bangladesh.
# After 44 Overs, Bangladesh are 199/7.
# After 43 Overs, Bangladesh are 196/7.
# Bangladesh losing the plot after a strong start. Failing to read Kuldeep Yadav once again!
# 42.5 Overs: OUT! Kuldeep with a brilliant googly and Mashrafe swings blindly and misses it. Dhoni does what he does the best! Mortaza st Dhoni b Kuldeep Yadav 7(9)
# 42.2 Overs: SIX! Mashrafe Mortaza can hit those and he hits it cleanly! Tonk it to the cow corner. Brutal!
# After 42 Overs, Bangladesh are 190/6. Mashrafe Mortaza the new man in!
# 40.5 Overs: OUT! After multiple looks by the third umpire, he decides to give the red light! Liton Das departs after a stunning maiden century. Liton Das st Dhoni b Kuldeep Yadav 121(117)
# 40.3 Overs: FOUR! Liton Das plays a technically strong shot straight down the ground. Top notch batting by the opener.
# After 40 Overs, Bangladesh are 178/5
# 39.1 Overs: SIX! Soumya Sarkar goes big and clears the ropes easily! Clean hit!
# Bangladesh's superb start has been rocked by continuous fall of wickets.
# After 38 Overs, Bangladesh are 166/5. Brilliant over by Kedar Jadhav!
# After 37 Overs, Bangladesh are 166/5 with Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar at the crease.
# 32.2 Overs: OUT! Kuldeep Yadav strikes as Mahmudullah walks back to the hut. India back in the mix after a torrid start. Bangladesh 5-151 after 32.2 Overs
# Bangladesh 150-4 after 31.4 overs
# After 28.4 Overs: Maiden century in international cricket for Liton Das.
# WICKET!!! M Mithun is out run out. Bangladesh are in trouble now. 139/4 after 27.6 Overs
# 26.5 Overs: Kedar Jadhav strikes again, this man is on fire. Sends one of the most important batsmen of Bangladesh back, Mishfiqur Rahim it is.
# After 25 Overs, Bangladesh are 133/2
24 Overs, Bangladesh are 128/2
# 23.5 Overs: OUT! Chahal strikes as umpire's finger goes up but Kayes is taking a review here, but it does not change the decision! There goes Imrul Kayes back to the pavillion. Kayes lbw b Chahal 2(12)
# After 23 Overs, Bangladesh are 128/1
# After 22 Overs, Bangladesh are 124/1
# After 21 Overs, Bangladesh are 120/1 and the new batsman at the crease is Imrul Kayes.
# 20.5 Overs: OUT! Mehidy Hasan departs as Ambati Rayudu takes a dolly at cover point. Kedar Jadhav's golden arm strikes again! Mehidy Hasan c Rayudu b Kedar Jadhav 32(59)
# Kedar Jadhav has been brought in by Rohit Sharma. Can his golden arm do the job for India?
# After 20 Overs, Bangladesh are 116/0. Liton Das batting at 85 and Mehidy Hasan at 29.
# 19.3 Overs: FOUR! Swept away with swagger and style.
# 19.1 Overs: FOUR! Liton Das is looking unstoppable here, the Indian fans in the stands are shell shocked.
# After 19 Overs, Bangladesh are 108/0
# It has been some sensational piece of batting by the Bangladeshi openers, especially by the seasoned Liton Das.
# After 18 Overs, Bangladesh are 102/0.
# 17.5 Overs: FOUR! Liton Das cuts it past the short third man fielder. 100 partnership up for Mehidy Hasan and Liton Das. Top Stuff!
# After 17 Overs, Bangladesh are 97/0.
# After 16 Overs, Bangladesh are 93/0.
# 15.5 Overs: Liton Das again goes towards that mid-wicket region, good piece of fielding by Bhuvneshwar at the deep.
# 15.3 Overs: FOUR! Stand and deliver stuff by Liton Das.
# After 15 Overs, Bangladesh are 86/0.
# 14.2 Overs: FOUR! Mehidy Hasan smashes it towards the point region!
# After 14 Overs, Bangladesh are 79/0. Ravindra Jadeja putting a break into free-flowing scoring.
# After 13 Overs, Bangladesh are 78/0
# After 12 Overs, Bangladesh are 74/0.
# 11.2 Overs: DROPPED! It was high and Chahal went for a reverse cup. Always tough. Rohit and Dhoni not happy.
# 11.1 Overs: FOUR! Picture perfect cover drive and the ball went to the boundary in a flash! Liton Das brings up his fifty.
# After 11 Overs, Bangladesh are 66/0.
# After 10 Overs, Bangladesh are 65/0.
# After 9 Overs, Bangladesh are 64/0
# 8.3 Overs: FOUR! Full Toss and punished for a boundary by Liton Das. He is on 45 off 27 balls.
# After 8 Overs, Bangladesh are 58/0.
# 7.6 Overs: SIX! Mehidy Hasan joins the party! Tonks it to the cow corner. Phew!
# 7.2 Overs: SIX! Liton Das sweeps it above the square leg boundary that too against the turn. Brilliant batting!
# Bowling change for India, Yuzvendra Chahal comes in!
# After 7 Overs, Bangladesh are 42/0
# 6.5 Overs: FOUR! WOW Liton Das! Steps out and tonks it over the mid-wicket fielder for a boundary.
# The ball is not doing much for the seamers. Liton Das freeing his hands early on could be a warning sign for Rohit Sharma and co.
# After 6 Overs, Bangladesh are 36/0. Impressive start by the Tigers.
# After 5 Overs, Bangladesh are 33/0.
# 4.5 Overs: FOUR! Poor delivery and Das punishes it perfectly.
# 4.4 Overs: FOUR! Liton Das is on FIRE! Bhuvneshwar goes for a short delivery and he pull it in style.
# After 4 Overs, Bangladesh are 25/0.
# 3.6 Overs: FOUR! What a shot by Liton Das! Perfect backfoot punch through the cover regions.
# 3.2 Overs: Another aggressive pull by Liton Das. Is he trying to attack the Indian bowlers early on?
# 3.1 Overs: FOUR! Liton Das steps out and dispatches the ball towards mid-wicket boundary. Super Shot!
# After 3 Overs, Bangladesh are 13/0.
# Scoreboard keeps on ticking for Bangladesh, as they are stealing singles and doubles now.
# Bhuvneshwar is getting some movement there and that could be worrying for the openers out there.
# After 2 Overs, Bangladesh are 8/0.
# 1.4 Overs: FOUR! Edge and beats the 2nd slip, first boundary for Bangladesh.
# 1.3 Overs: Mehidy Hasan goes for a wild square cut but completely misses it.
# Jasprit Bumrah from the other end.
# After 1 over, Bangladesh are 3/0.
# 0.4 Overs: Slight edge, and Dinesh Karthik had a very very tough chance to get to it. Bangladesh gets a single.
# Bhuvneshwar Kumar is getting some movement out off the pitch. Nothing in the air though.
# Mehidy Hasan and Liton Das walk out to open for Bangladesh
# Bangladesh (Playing XI): Liton Das(w), Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Imrul Kayes, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Nazmul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman
# India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(w), Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah
# Credit goes to the boys for the way they stood out in the last few games. Today is another big match but we have to take the pressure off, play hard, and fight it out till the last ball. Mominul is not playing, left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam comes in - we're going with 5 bowlers today. They (India) are the best side for a reason. We have a great chance but there is always the pressure in a final so we're just going out there and looking to win the game, says Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza.
# Going to field first. That's what we've done the whole tournament. We've done well fielding first throughout the tournament, so I feel like we don't need to change anything. The guys have delivered over the tournament, and there's just one last hurdle to cross. We are ready for it. All five guys who missed out in the last game are back for the final, says India skipper Rohit Sharma
Captain @ImRo45 wins the toss and elects to bowl first in the #AsiaCup 2018 Final.#INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/GRGoZksCzC
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 28, 2018
# India win the toss and elect to field first!
# Rohit Sharma and Mashrafe Mortaza walks in for the toss with presented Ramiz Raza in!
# We are moments away from the toss and as stats say India have been a better chasing side, while Bangladesh have been more successful while defending them! An exhilarating contest awaits us.
From the Driver's seat 📽ï¸: #TeamIndia depart for the grand finale of #AsiaCup against 🇧🇩 #INDvBAN 😎 pic.twitter.com/YV2usS6ICH
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 28, 2018
