Tuesday, 07 October, 2025
Bangladesh suffered a crushing 41-run defeat to India in their second Super Four game of the Asia Cup, as Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav guided the favourites into the final.
Electing to field first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, Bangladesh’s bowlers initially kept India in check, restricting them to 168-6 after the openers threatened to take complete control.
In reply, the Tigers’ batting line-up crumbled, with only Saif Hassan (69) and Parvez Hossain Emon (21) showing resistance. Kuldeep dismantled the middle order, taking Emon, Rishad Hossain (2) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (0) in quick succession, triggering a collapse that all but ended Bangladesh’s chances.
Saif Hassan tried to keep the fight alive, striking a 51-ball 69 featuring five sixes and three fours, but the rest of the line-up faltered, losing their last five wickets for just 18 runs. Bangladesh now face a must-win clash against Pakistan on Thursday to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.
Earlier, India had looked poised for a commanding total. Abhishek Sharma blazed his way to a 37-ball 75, smashed with six fours and five sixes, while Shubman Gill contributed 29. Their aggressive start propelled India to 72 in the powerplay, raising expectations of a 200-plus total.
The momentum shifted in the ninth over when leg-spinner Rishad Hossain dismissed Gill and Shivam Dube in quick succession, followed by a stunning run-out of Abhishek at backward point, halting India’s acceleration. From there, the middle overs became a struggle for the visitors, with captain Suryakumar Yadav managing just five off 11 balls before falling to Mustafizur Rahman. Tilak Varma, too, failed to settle.
Mustafizur’s wicket marked a personal milestone as he became Bangladesh’s top T20I wicket-taker with 150 scalps, surpassing Shakib Al Hasan’s 149. Hardik Pandya offered some resistance with a 29-ball 38, but Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling kept India in check.
India’s tactical gamble of leaving Sanju Samson out for a left-right combination failed to pay dividends. Axar Patel struggled in the middle overs, scoring 10 not out from 15 balls, and India limped through the death overs, falling well short of what had once seemed achievable.
For Bangladesh, Rishad Hossain was the standout, claiming two wickets and executing a crucial run-out, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib bowled excellently, despite a costly final over.
Saifuddin proved effective against left-handers, conceding just seven runs in two overs, and Mustafizur added wickets in a disciplined team effort.
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Bangladesh suffered a crushing 41-run defeat to India in their second Super Four game of the Asia Cup, as Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav guided the favourites into the final.
Electing to field first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, Bangladesh’s bowlers initially kept India in check, restricting them to 168-6 after the openers threatened to take complete control.
In reply, the Tigers’ batting line-up crumbled, with only Saif Hassan (69) and Parvez Hossain Emon (21) showing resistance. Kuldeep dismantled the middle order, taking Emon, Rishad Hossain (2) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (0) in quick succession, triggering a collapse that all but ended Bangladesh’s chances.
Saif Hassan tried to keep the fight alive, striking a 51-ball 69 featuring five sixes and three fours, but the rest of the line-up faltered, losing their last five wickets for just 18 runs. Bangladesh now face a must-win clash against Pakistan on Thursday to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.
Earlier, India had looked poised for a commanding total. Abhishek Sharma blazed his way to a 37-ball 75, smashed with six fours and five sixes, while Shubman Gill contributed 29. Their aggressive start propelled India to 72 in the powerplay, raising expectations of a 200-plus total.
The momentum shifted in the ninth over when leg-spinner Rishad Hossain dismissed Gill and Shivam Dube in quick succession, followed by a stunning run-out of Abhishek at backward point, halting India’s acceleration. From there, the middle overs became a struggle for the visitors, with captain Suryakumar Yadav managing just five off 11 balls before falling to Mustafizur Rahman. Tilak Varma, too, failed to settle.
Mustafizur’s wicket marked a personal milestone as he became Bangladesh’s top T20I wicket-taker with 150 scalps, surpassing Shakib Al Hasan’s 149. Hardik Pandya offered some resistance with a 29-ball 38, but Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling kept India in check.
India’s tactical gamble of leaving Sanju Samson out for a left-right combination failed to pay dividends. Axar Patel struggled in the middle overs, scoring 10 not out from 15 balls, and India limped through the death overs, falling well short of what had once seemed achievable.
For Bangladesh, Rishad Hossain was the standout, claiming two wickets and executing a crucial run-out, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib bowled excellently, despite a costly final over.
Saifuddin proved effective against left-handers, conceding just seven runs in two overs, and Mustafizur added wickets in a disciplined team effort.
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