India stormed into the final of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 with a commanding 41-run victory over Bangladesh in the Super Four stage at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, a result that also eliminated defending champions Sri Lanka from the tournament.
Opting to bowl first, Bangladesh saw their decision backfire as India’s openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill raced to a 77-run stand inside seven overs.
Gill struck a brisk 29 off 19 balls before falling to Rishad Hossain, but Abhishek continued his assault, smashing 75 off 37 deliveries with six fours and five sixes.
After his dismissal via run-out in the 12th over, India stumbled briefly but Hardik Pandya (38 off 29) steadied the innings with Axar Patel, pushing the total to 168/6.
Rishad was the pick of Bangladesh’s bowlers, taking 2/27, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin claimed one wicket each.
Bangladesh collapse despite Saif Hasan heroics
Chasing 169, Bangladesh faltered against India’s disciplined attack. Opener Saif Hasan top-scored with a valiant 69 off 51 balls, featuring five sixes and five fours.
He added 42 runs with Parvez Hossain Emon (21) for the second wicket, but the rest of the batting order crumbled. No other Bangladeshi batter managed to cross double figures, and the team folded for 127 in 19.3 overs.
Kuldeep leads bowling charge
India’s spinners proved decisive, with Kuldeep Yadav taking 3/18 in his four overs. He was supported by Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy, who picked up two wickets each, while Axar Patel and Tilak Varma claimed one apiece.
The victory secured India’s place in the Asia Cup 2025 final, while knocking out Sri Lanka, who still have one game to play. India will next face Sri Lanka in their last Super Four match on Friday, a dead rubber for the 2016 champions but an opportunity to fine-tune ahead of the title clash.
