India Book Asia Cup Final Spot After Bangladesh Rout
India defeats Bangladesh by 41 runs, enters Asia Cup final.
In a Dubai dazzler under the floodlights, Suryakumar Yadav's India locked in their Asia Cup 2025 final berth with a clinical 41-run demolition of Bangladesh on Wednesday night, extending their flawless streak in the Super Fours. Opener Abhishek Sharma lit up the scoreboard with a ferocious 37-ball 75, anchoring India to a competitive 168/6 despite a middle-order wobble. Hardik Pandya chipped in with a gritty 38, but it was the bowling brigade that stole the show – Kuldeep Yadav's wizardry snared 3/18, while Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy each grabbed 2/29 to skittle Bangladesh for a hapless 127. Saif Hassan's defiant 69 off 51 balls offered fleeting hope, but India's spin stranglehold sealed the deal.
This emphatic victory not only punched India's ticket to Sunday's summit clash but also slammed the door on defending champions Sri Lanka, leaving the tournament's second finalist spot dangling by a thread. Enter the high-octane do-or-die drama: Thursday's Super Four showdown between Pakistan and Bangladesh is now a straight shootout for final glory. The winner books their date with India; the loser packs their bags.
For Babar Azam-less Pakistan, skippered by the unflappable Salman Ali Agha, the math is mercilessly simple. With 2 points from their opening Super Four triumph, a victory over Bangladesh catapults them to 4 points and a dream final berth. Anything less, and their campaign crumbles. "Our boys are primed – it's all about executing under lights," Agha teased post-match, eyes gleaming with intent.
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Bangladesh, nursing 2 points from two games, face identical stakes. Stand-in skipper Jaker Ali, fresh off a gritty knock, didn't sugarcoat the pressure cooker ahead. "It's quite surprising [the loss], but I take the preparation. All credit to the boys – after ten overs, they adjusted brilliantly," he reflected at the post-match huddle. "We can take lots from this game. We have another tomorrow. We have to keep in mind we can win and play the final. Let's see the combination, but we'll give our best."
Meanwhile, Friday's India-Sri Lanka fixture? Pure dead rubber – a victory lap for the Men in Blue, a consolation cruise for the Islanders.
As the desert winds whip up anticipation, the Asia Cup narrative hinges on one explosive Thursday thriller. Pakistan's path to redemption – and a blockbuster Indo-Pak final – runs straight through Dhaka's determined Tigers. Will the Green Shirts roar, or will Bangladesh bite back? The UAE awaits its answer.
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