Asia Cup 2023: Bangladesh defeat India by six runs

Colombo: Bangladesh has defeated India by six runs in the last match of the super fours of the Asia Cup 2023 on Friday.

Despite Shubman Gill's century, India, who was supposed to chase 266 runs, amassed 259 runs before being bowled out in the final over.

With a 133-ball 121 that included eight boundaries and five sixes, Gill fought alone for India.

Axar Patel was the other prominent run-getter for India, keeping them in the game until the penultimate over with a valiant 42-run knock that included three boundaries and two sixes.

Mustafizur Rahman led the bowling attack for Bangladesh in their farewell Asia Cup 2023 fixture with 3/50 while debutant Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mahedi Hasan bagged two each.

Bangladesh was given the opportunity to bat first, and thanks to a team effort, spearheaded by their captain Shakib, they put up a respectable total on the board.

Moreover, Bangladesh, on the other hand, had a very different start to their innings as the Indian pacers tore through their top order, leaving them reeling at 28/3 in 5.4 overs.

When Bangladesh's skipper Shakib came out to bat at number five, he made an effort to steady his team's batting order as he formed a brief partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who eventually fell after a grueling 13-run knock.

Following the slump, Shakib Al Hasan finally found subtle support at the other end in the form of Towhid Hridoy and they soon launched an astounding recovery.

The pair put together 101 runs for the fifth wicket before Shardul Thakur castled Shakib in the 34th over.

He remained the top-scorer for Bangladesh in the last Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s match with an 85-ball 80 which featured six boundaries and three sixes.

Bangladesh were then rocked with another blow as Ravindra Jadeja trapped Shamim Hossain (1) trapped in his legs in the next over.

However, Towhid Hridoy stood his ground firm and kept the scoreboard ticking before finally perishing in the 42nd over, briefly after completing his half-century.

He scored a cautious 54 off 81 balls with the help of five boundaries and two sixes.

Nasum Ahmed then took the reins of Bangladesh’s batting charge after Hridoy’s dismissal and frustrated the Indian bowlers at the backend.

Ahmed played a brisk 44-run knock which featured six boundaries and a six.

He was also involved in a crucial 45-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Mahedi Hasan, who scored 29 not out.

Shardul Thakur led the bowling attack for India in the last Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s fixture with 3/65, followed by Mohammed Shami’s 2/32.

Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Prasidh Krishna, on the other hand, made one scalp each.