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Asia Cup Super Fours: Sri Lanka win toss opt to field, India rest Dube, Bumrah before final

by Inkhabar webdesk September 26, 2025

Dubai [UAE], September 26 (ANI): Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and opted to field against India in the final Super Fours fixture at the ongoing Asia Cup in Dubai on Friday.

The final Super Fours fixture has turned into a dead rubber with India and Pakistan setting up an enticing Asia Cup final on Sunday. India is yet to deliver a perfect game. The batting unit has been spearheaded by the tournament’s highest run-getter, Abhishek Sharma, while left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been fundamental to India’s success with the ball.

However, 12 dropped catching opportunities have highlighted India’s fielding woes. Sri Lanka, unbeaten in the group stage, floundered in the first two Super Fours fixtures and crashed out of the race. Sri Lanka would be keen on salvaging their pride by ending their campaign with a win.

Before the final, India rested Jasprit Bumrah and Shivam Dube. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana have been reintroduced in the final XI, making their second appearance in the tournament after the Oman fixture.

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said, “We are going to bowl first. We know that we can’t qualify for the final, but it is still an important game for us. It is a good pitch, and we want to restrict them to 170-175. They have been doing really well, especially our openers. We have one change – Janith Liyange comes in for Chamika Karunaratne.”

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav said during the time of the toss, “Just continue doing what we have been doing. We were actually looking to bat first. Good atmosphere, good game, and we are looking forward to it. It is part of the game (dropped catches). We have two changes – Bumrah and Dube are out, Arshdeep and Harshit come in.”

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(w), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy. (ANI)

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September 26, 2025 0 comments

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"Cricketing observation from well-wisher, admirer": Kaif responds to Bumrah's criticism

by Inkhabar webdesk September 26, 2025

written by Inkhabar webdesk

New Delhi [India], September 26 (ANI): Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif responded graciously to Jasprit Bumrah’s criticism of his cricketing observation on his bowling stretch during the powerplay in the ongoing Asia Cup.

Kaif clarified that his comments were merely a cricketing observation from a well-wisher and admirer, emphasising Bumrah’s stature as India’s biggest match-winner.

Kaif responded calmly to Jasprit Bumrah’s criticism, framing his comments as “a cricketing observation from a well-wisher and an admirer.”

Kaif, in an X post, wrote, “Please take this as a cricketing observation from a well-wisher and an admirer. You are Indian cricket’s biggest match-winner and I know what it takes to give it all when on field wearing India colours.”

This comes after Kaif wrote on X that under Rohit Sharma, Bumrah would bowl an over during the powerplay, one during the middle overs, and two during the death overs. He also pointed out that Bumrah prefers to bowl when his body is warmed up to avoid injury and how one over from Bumrah after the powerplay could “hurt India” against bigger teams.

“Bumrah under Rohit would generally bowl overs 1, 13, 17, 19. Under Surya, in Asia Cup, he bowled a three-overs spell at the start. To avoid injury, Bumrah these days prefers to bowl while his body is warmed up. 1 over of Bumrah in the remaining 14 overs is a huge relief for batters, against stronger teams at World Cup, this could hurt india,” posted Kaif.

To this, Bumrah replied, “Inaccurate before inaccurate again.”

During Rohit’s captaincy, Bumrah would at best bowl two overs during the powerplay and was also used as a wicket-taking option during the middle overs, with an over. He would mostly get two overs during the death.

However, during this tournament, Surya has given him a chance to bowl three powerplay overs, leaving him with just one over in the death overs.

During his four games, Bumrah’s figures at powerplay have been: 19/1 against UAE, 16/1 against Pakistan, 34/0 against Pakistan (Super Four), and 17/1 against Bangladesh (Super Four).

In the ongoing tournament, Bumrah has not been at his best, having taken five wickets at an average of 22.00, with an economy rate of 7.33 and best figures of 2/18.

India will be taking on Sri Lanka on Friday. India is already in the finals and would like to keep their record of not losing any match in the tournament.

Pakistan has made history by booking their spot in the Asia Cup 2025 final against arch-rivals India, marking their first-ever final clash in the tournament’s 41-year history. The Green Shirts secured a thrilling 11-run win over Bangladesh in Dubai on Thursday, setting the stage for a blockbuster showdown against India on Sunday. (ANI)

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September 26, 2025 0 comments

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Shaheen, Rauf help Pakistan set up first-ever Asia Cup final clash with India, beat Bangladesh by 11 runs

by Inkhabar webdesk September 26, 2025

written by Inkhabar webdesk

Dubai [UAE], September 26 (ANI): Clinical bowling performances from Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Saim Ayub powered Pakistan into the final of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, where they will face arch-rivals India for the first time in the history of the tournament across both ODI and T20I editions, following an 11-run victory over Bangladesh in their final Super Four clash on Thursday.

With this win, Pakistan concluded their Super Four campaign with two wins and one loss, placing them second on the points table. India, who sit atop the standings with two wins, will take on Sri Lanka in their final Super Four match on Friday, aiming to remain undefeated.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, finished third with one win and two losses, giving them two points. Sri Lanka has been eliminated, having lost both their games and is at the bottom spot.

During a chase of 136 runs, Bangladesh lost three wickets for 44 runs within the powerplay itself, with Shaheen (3/17 in four overs) proving to be destructive in his pairing with Rauf (3/33 in four overs). Shamim Hossain (30 in 25 balls, with two sixes) tried to hold the innings together, but a relentless Pakistan reduced them to 124/9, with Rishad Hossain (16* in 11 balls, with two fours and a six) and Mustafizur Rahman (6* in four balls, with a four) failing to get their team to the finishing line when they needed 51 runs in final five overs. Clearly, they missed the experience of their regular skipper Litton Das, who was not playing due to an injury.

This match also marked the lowest total defended by a team in Dubai in T20Is between full-member sides. The previous record was New Zealand’s 144 against Pakistan in 2018.

Rauf delivered some big blows to Bangladesh towards the end in the last five overs, making sure Bangladesh never got any momentum. He went above Australia’s Adam Zampa (130 scalps) to become the eighth-highest wicket-taker in T20Is, with 133 scalps in 93 matches at an average of 20.72, with best figures of 4/18. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan (173 scalps in 103 matches) remains the top wicket-taker in the shortest format.

Rauf also overtook Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga (16 wickets in 11 wickets) as the top wicket-taker in T20I Asia Cup history, a tournament which has spanned three editions. Now in 10 matches, he has 17 wickets at an average of 15.76 in this competition, with best figures of 3/29.

In the ongoing tournament so far, he has taken nine wickets at an average of 12.77 with best figures of 3/33. He is currently the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the competition, with Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav being the chart topper with his 12 wickets.

Earlier, Bangladesh skipper Jaker Ali won the toss and opted to bowl first. Bangladesh’s bowling looked threatening right from ball one, as Pakistan was restricted to 71/6 in 13.3 overs, with Taskin Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain wreaking havoc on helpless Pakistani batters, with none of the top five crossing the 20-run mark.

A 38-run stand for the seventh-wicket between Mohammad Haris (31 in 23 balls, with two fours and a six) and Mohammed Nawaz (25* in 15 balls, with a four and two sixes), the only two players to touch the 20-run mark, helped Pakistan reach a scratchy 135/8 in their 20 overs.

Taskin Ahmed (3/28) was the leading bowler for Bangladesh along with Rishad Hossain (2/18 in four overs) and Mahedi Hasan (2/28). Mustafizur Rahman, who took 1/33 in four overs, went above New Zealand’s Ish Sodhi (150 wickets) to become the third-highest wicket-taker in T20Is, with 151 scalps in 119 matches at an average of 20.66 and best figures of 6/10. He has three four-wicket hauls and two five-fors in the format. He is already above legendary Shakib al Hasan (149 wickets) as Bangladesh’s top T20I wicket-taker. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan (173 scalps in 103 matches at an average of 13.93, with best figures of 5/3, eight four-fera and two five-wicket hauls) is the format’s leading wicket-taker. (ANI)

Also, Pakistan batter Saim Ayub’s nightmarish Asia Cup 2025 continued as he registered his fourth duck in six innings of the competition and overtook former all-rounder Shahid Afridi to have the second-most ducks for Pakistan in T20Is.

Ayub fell for a three-ball duck against Mahedi Hasan against Bangladesh during his side’s must-win Super Four clash, a virtual semifinal for a spot against the final against India. His run in the tournament has been a total of 23 runs in six innings at an average of 3.8 and only one double-digit score, 21 against India in the Super Four stage.

Afridi had eight T20I ducks in 90 innings, while Ayub has done him one better in half the innings. Umar Akmal has the most ducks by a Pakistani batter in T20Is, with 10 in 79 innings.

In 47 T20Is for his nation, Ayub has made 839 runs in 45 innings at an average of 19.51 and a strike rate of 134.24, with four fifties and a best score of 98*. In 20 innings this year, he has scored just 341 runs at an average of 17.05 and a strike rate of over 129 with three fifties and a best score of 69.

Brief Scores: Pakistan: 135/8 (Mohammed Haris 31, Mohammed Nawaz 25*, Taskin Ahmed 3/28) beat Bangladesh: 124/9 (Shamim Hossain 30, Saif Hassan 18, Shaheen Shah Afridi 3/17). (ANI)

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September 26, 2025 0 comments

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"No politics in cricket": Atul Wassan supports BCCI's complaint against Pakistan players

by Inkhabar webdesk September 26, 2025

written by Inkhabar webdesk

Gurugram (Haryana) [India], September 25 (ANI): Former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan backed the BCCI’s complaint against Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf for their actions during the Asia Cup match, saying their behaviour needs explanation.

According to BCCI sources, a complaint has been filed with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and match referee Andy Pycroft. The Indian team has demanded strict action against both players for conduct that they believe crossed the line of acceptable on-field behaviour.

During Pakistan’s innings, opener Sahibzada Farhan celebrated his half-century in controversial fashion by holding his bat like a gun, a move that has been widely criticised as being insensitive and provocative. Later in the match, pacer Haris Rauf came under fire for multiple incidents.

After dismissing Sanju Samson, Rauf showed aggression, and later when he was stationed near the boundary rope, responded to the jeers from Indian spectators by lifting his fingers to indicate “0-6”, a reference to Pakistan’s groundless claims that they downed six Indian fighter jets during the four-day clash at the border after India’s Operation Sindoor in May this year.

While speaking to ANI, Wassan said, “India has sent its complaint to the ICC. Because you cannot politicise this platform of cricket, you cannot send a message. This is not allowed. This is not in the code of conduct. So if you have done it, then you will have to explain the connotation of it. So India is right.”

Notably, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had also filed a complaint against the Indian skipper for allegedly making political remarks during the post-match presentation and press conference following the group stage clash between the two rivals.

Wassan also felt that PCB’s complaint against Suryakumar came a week later, after doing all the crazy things, and their complaint for the handshake incident was not justified.

“But Pakistan did it a week later, after doing all the crazy things in the world, now they thought to complain to the ICC. So I am saying from the first day that the handshake incident they came out for, their complaint was not justified,” he added.

However, Wassan also believed that Suryakumar made a political statement mentioning Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam during the post-match presentation and press conference following the group stage clash between the two teams, which could have been avoided.

“The platform used by Suryakumar Yadav also made a political statement. He took the name of Operation Sindoor and the name of Pahalgam. So I also felt that he did wrong. Because you had moved your point. You did not shake hands. You ignored them. You threw them in the field. After that, it should not have been done,” Wassan said.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also weighed in on the controversy surrounding Indian players refusing to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts during the tournament. Tharoor believed that while the emotions against Pakistan are understandable, the spirit of the game should be kept separate from politics and military conflicts.

“I personally feel that once the decision had been made to play, if we feel so strongly about Pakistan, we should not have played. But if we are going to play them, we should play in the spirit of a game, and we should have shaken their hands,” Tharoor told ANI.

Wassan strongly disagreed with Tharoor, stating that India is playing for the entire ecosystem, and added that by participating, they’re doing a favour, so expecting gestures like handshakes might be unrealistic.

“I dont agree with Shashi Tharoor. We had decided that playing was our compulsion. There has been a lot of discussion about it. Please see the timeline, and we are playing because we have to play forcibly. We have to play for the survival of this whole ecosystem. So we are doing a favour by playing. So after playing, now dont expect from us that we will shake hands,” he concluded.

India humiliated Pakistan in the two matches they played against each other, as they advanced to the finals of the Asia Cup. There is a possibility that they might face them again in Sunday’s final. (ANI)

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September 26, 2025 0 comments

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Asia Cup: Bangladesh win toss, elect to field first against Pakistan in virtual semifinal clash

by Inkhabar webdesk September 25, 2025

written by Inkhabar webdesk

Dubai [UAE], September 25 (ANI): Bangladesh stand-in skipper Jaker Ali won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan during a crucial Super Four clash during the ongoing Asia Cup at Dubai on Thursday.

With India already having secured a spot in the finals with wins over Pakistan and Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka having been eliminated following two defeats, this clash between two sides with one win and one loss each turns out to be a virtual semifinal. However, Bangladesh will be missing the leadership and experience of their regular captain Litton Das in this match.

After winning the toss, Jaker said that the wicket looks dry and the team has been doing well while bowling first.

“We would like to bowl first, looks a pretty dry wicket. We have been doing well while bowling first, so we are going with that strategy. As a bowling unit, we have been doing well. We have to bat really well in this match. We just want to play for the championship; that is the mindset. We have three changes. Saifuddin, Nasum and Tamim are not playing. Nurul, Taskin and Mahedi are in.”

Pakistan skipper Salman Agha said that the team wanted to bat first, so it is okay, and the pitch looks great.

“Scoreboard pressure is the key. We have defended well after scoring 150-plus. Beating SL was always great. We want to play good cricket and execute our plans. It is always important playing any final. We want to focus on this game, want to win this game. We want to play good cricket. We are playing with the same side,” said Salman.

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali(w/c), Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman

Pakistan (Playing XI): Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha(c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed. (ANI)

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September 25, 2025 0 comments

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"We want him available as much as possible, but the team comes first": Agarkar on balancing Bumrah's workload

by Inkhabar webdesk September 25, 2025

written by Inkhabar webdesk

New Delhi [India], September 25 (ANI): Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has confirmed that pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will be available for both matches of the upcoming home Test series against West Indies, starting October 2 in Ahmedabad.

India will play two Test matches against West Indies.

Speaking on Bumrah’s readiness, Agarkar said, “He’s available for both the Test matches. We’ve had a fair break after England. In fact, he didn’t play the fifth Test either. So there’s been a bit of a month or five weeks of break and even this tournament has been fairly spaced out till this last week. So, no, he’s ready and keen to play both Test matches.”

India are set to play the Asia Cup final on September 28 before taking on West Indies in the opening Test just few days later. Despite the short turnaround, Agarkar stressed that Bumrah is fully fit and raring to go.

On the subject of workload management, the chief selector acknowledged the importance of balancing Bumrah’s fitness with India’s packed schedule.

“Normally, we discuss this with the physios and the coaches, and obviously, we want the best for him, but the team will always come first. That is always the case. He’s a terrific performer. So we want him available as much as possible, but we have to be careful with him with some of the big tournaments coming as well, but like I said, the team always comes first,” he noted.

With Bumrah fit and available, India will begin their World Test Championship (WTC) campaign at home against the West Indies with their premier fast bowler leading the attack. India earlier started this new WTC campaign in a 2-2 draw against England.

India squad: Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, N Jagadeesan, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav. (ANI)

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September 25, 2025 0 comments

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BCCI lodges complaint against Pak players Farhan, Rauf to ICC for inappropriate gestures during Asia Cup's Super Four clash

by Inkhabar webdesk September 25, 2025

written by Inkhabar webdesk

New Delhi [India], September 25 (ANI): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially lodged a complaint against Pakistan cricketers Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf for their inappropriate actions during the high-voltage Asia Cup’s Super Four encounter on September 21.

Later in the match, pacer Haris Rauf came under fire for multiple incidents. After dismissing Sanju Samson, Rauf showed aggression, and later when he was stationed near the boundary rope, responded to the jeers from Indian spectators by lifting his fingers to indicate “0-6”, a reference to Pakistan’s groundless claims that they downed six Indian fighter jets during the four-day clash at the border after India’s Operation Sindoor in May this year.

Rauf’s reaction spread like wildfire, and videos of his gesture went viral on social media. The 31-year-old drew flak from numerous Indian fans, who trolled and lampooned him for his action. During the incident, Rauf was teased by the fans with the chants of “Virat Kohli”, as the legendary batter had hit him for two successive sixes during a tense run-chase of 160 runs at Melbourne during the T20 World Cup 2022, one of which has been described by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the ‘Shot of the Century’.

Interestingly, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier lodged two complaints with the ICC against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav.

PCB was against Suryakumar Yadav’s comment after the game on September 14 on the Pahalgam incident, as according to them, he made it political.

“Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all, and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to make them smile,” Suryakumar Yadav said after the win. (ANI)

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September 25, 2025 0 comments

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"He will score century in some other match": Abhishek Sharma's mother confident ton is just around corner

by Inkhabar webdesk September 25, 2025

written by Inkhabar webdesk

Dubai [UAE], September 25 (ANI): India registered a commanding 41-run victory over Bangladesh in their Asia Cup, Super Four game, riding on the brilliance of young batting sensation Abhishek Sharma. The left-hander set the stage on fire with a scintillating 75 off just 37 balls, smashing six boundaries and five towering sixes. He looked set for another international century but was unfortunately run out, leaving his family members with mixed emotions.

Abhishek’s mother, Manju Sharma, expressed both joy and hope after the innings.

Speaking about her son’s knock, she said, “The match was very good and Abhishek Sharma played a very good innings. He will score a century in some other match. India should win the Asia Cup.”

For his family, the missed century was bittersweet. His sister, Komal, also opened up about her emotions after the innings.

“It hurts that Abhishek missed the century. However, it is okay, it is a part of the game. I am confident that he will score a century in the tournament. We are feeling great that he is playing a big role in ensuring that the team wins the match. The team is very strong. We are proud of the team. I have always been a fan of Rohit Sharma, and now Abhishek is also playing a similar role. I feel proud,” she added.

The 25-year-old’s fearless approach at the top has already drawn comparisons with India’s batting stalwarts, and with performances like these, he is fast emerging as a vital cog in India’s Asia Cup campaign.

India, with this win, became the first team to secure a place in the final, while Sri Lanka has been knocked out of the tournament. Pakistan and Bangladesh will now face each other in a do-or-die clash for the remaining spot in the final.

India will take on Sri Lanka in their final Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2025 on September 26 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The outcome of the Pakistan vs Bangladesh match on September 25 will determine India’s opponent for the final on September 28. (ANI)

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September 25, 2025 0 comments

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"We don't take anyone lightly": Jaker Ali on Bangladesh's mindset against Pakistan

by Inkhabar webdesk September 25, 2025

written by Inkhabar webdesk

Dubai [UAE], September 25 (ANI): Ahead of their crucial clash against Pakistan in the ongoing T20 Asia Cup, Bangladesh stand-in skipper Jaker Ali emphasised that his team does not underestimate any opponent but instead focuses on their own strengths and abilities.

Bangladesh’s record against Pakistan in T20 Internationals remains challenging, with five wins and 20 losses out of 25 encounters. However, the team enters the match buoyed by their recent 2-1 series victory over Pakistan on home soil in July.

“We don’t take anyone lightly; instead, we focus on our strengths and abilities. Having played them twice before in Pakistan and Bangladesh, those experiences will surely be valuable moving forward, ” Jaker Ali told the media.

Pakistan is heading into the clash with a commanding five-wicket win in the must-win Super Fours fixture at the ongoing Asia Cup at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday against Sri Lanka.

Despite a flawed performance, India stormed into the final of the Asia Cup 2025 after a 41-run triumph against Bangladesh in the Super Fours clash at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday.

The winner of the match between Pakistan and Bangladesh will qualify for the final. The last match of the Super Four between India and Sri Lanka on Friday in Dubai will be a dead rubber.

Bangladesh squad for Asia Cup: Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Shaif Uddin

Pakistan squad for Asia Cup: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, Sufyan Moqim. (ANI)

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September 25, 2025 0 comments

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India face glitches but reach Asia Cup final after 41-run victory over Bangladesh

by Inkhabar webdesk September 25, 2025

written by Inkhabar webdesk

Dubai [UAE], September 24 (ANI): Despite a flawed performance, India stormed into the final of the Asia Cup 2025, after a 41-run triumph against Bangladesh in the Super Fours clash at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday.

After being put to bat, India posted 168/6, riding high on Abhishek Sharma’s scorching 71-run blitz and Hardik Pandya’s finishing touches of 38(29).

It wasn’t a perfect performance from India though; four dropped catches and a mini batting collapse in the middle of the innings highlighted some problems. Despite the fragmented display, India booked its place in the final unbeaten and ended Sri Lanka’s campaign in the Super Fours. Bangladesh’s fixture against Pakistan has turned into a virtual semi-final on Thursday. The winner of the contest will fight for the title against the world champions.

Saif Hassan was the sole aggressor throughout the modest 169-run chase. India’s fielding woes were on display as Saif received a staggering four lifelines after being dropped on scores of 40, 65, 66 and 67. His innings eventually concluded after the fifth catch was taken by Axar Patel.

After a rather unsuccessful run against Pakistan, Jasprit Bumrah returned to wicket-taking ways. He set the tone of Bangladesh’s chase on his second delivery by forcing a leading edge from Tanzid Hasan Tamim (1 off 3), which landed safely in Shivam Dube’s hands.

Saif Hassan and Parvez Hossain Emon stitched a 42-run stand for the second wicket as Bangladesh ended the powerplay with 44/1. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav threw his premier spinner Kuldeep Yadav into the attack and instantly reaped rewards.

On the second ball after the powerplay, Emon deployed the slog sweep but holed it out to Abhishek Sharma. Boundaries dried up, and Towhid Hridoy perished against Axar Patel and returned with a rustic 7(10). Bangladesh’s woes increased after mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy bustled around from the stump to clean up Shamim Hossain for a three-ball duck.

The pattern continued, leaving Saif bereft of support from the other end. Kuldeep continued to run rampant, removing Rishad Hossain and Tanzim Hasan Sakib on two consecutive deliveries in the 17th over. Tilak wrapped up Bangladesh’s innings on 127, by dismissing Mustafizur Rahman to power India into the final.

Earlier in the innings, India started slowly, making only 17 runs in the first three overs. After a slow start, Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill bashed Bangladesh bowlers to reach their highest score in the power-play 72-0 in the ongoing Asia Cup.

Sharma again provided India a flying start. Right after the power play, Rishad Hossain removed Shubman Gill for 29 runs off 19 balls. In the following over, Sharma brought up his second fifty of the tournament, after he clipped through the vacant mid-wicket pocket for a single off Saif Hassan.

After India lost Gill in the 7th over, captain Suryakumar Yadav promoted Shivam Dube to the number 3 spot. The plan failed miserably as Dube got out for two runs off three balls.

India crossed the 100-run mark in the 11th over. In the 11th over, Suryakumar Yadav played the ball towards backward point, where Rishad Hossain stopped it with a dive.

Sharma left his crease looking for a single, but he was sent back. Rishad waited for a moment and fired a flat throw at the bowler’s end. Seamer Mustafizur Rahman was equally calm while gathering the throw, and he whips off the bails before Sharma could get back in the crease.

Sharma was removed after a brilliant 75 off just 37 balls. In the same over, Rahman removed Suryakumar for 5 runs off 11 balls. He also completed 150 T20I wickets, becoming the first Bangladeshi to do so and the overall 4th to reach the milestone.

After 10 overs, Bangladeshi bowlers made a comeback, conceding less than 35 runs in the next five overs. Tanzim Hasan, after a fiery spell, got his first scalp of the match as he removed Tilak Varma in the 15th over for five.

India lost further wickets, but the focal point was Sanju Samson’s absence from the crease, as he didn’t come out to bat despite India being reduced to five down. Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel steadily took the Indian innings to a respectable total after a bunch of wickets fell. However, Axar Patel struggled to score runs as he played at a strike rate of 66.67.

India struggled in the final over, managing just four runs, and suffered a late blow with Hardik Pandya’s wicket falling on the last ball of the innings, with Pandya scoring 38 runs. Bangladesh bowler only conceded 72 runs in the last 10 overs. Rishad Hossain was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, scalping two wickets.

India 168/6 (Abhishek Sharma 75, Hardik Pandya 38; Rishad Hossain 2/27). Vs Bangladesh 127 (Saif Hassan 69, Parvez Hossain Emon 21; Kuldeep Yadav 3/18). (ANI)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

September 25, 2025 0 comments

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