India Win Asia Cup T20 2016; Thrash Bangladesh by 8 Wickets

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Asia Cup champion_AP

In a rain-curtailed Asia Cup T20 Final 2016, the ground staff did really an astounding job to let the match happen what at one time seemed impossible. It turned out to be 15-15 overs for both sides. India’s sublime bowling and then aggressive batting left no hope for Bangladesh to even throw a challenge to India.

MS Dhoni decided to field first on winning the toss. Indian bowlers led by Ashwin and Nehra did good job to restrict Bangladesh for just 120 in 15 overs. Though veteran Nehra was highly expensive, but he gave the first breakthrough to the team dismissing Soumya Sarkar caught by Pandya for just 14 in the 4th over of match.

Sabbir Rahman 32* (29b, 4s x 2) and Mahmudullah forged a much needed 45-run partnership for 6th wicket in the end that saw Bangladesh overtaking their scorecard to more than 100-run-mark. Mahmudullah 33* (13b, 4s x 2, 6s x 2) played a crackling innings down the order when the team needed it most. From Indian side, R Ashwin (3-0-14-1) and Burmrah (3-0-13-1) were brilliant giving just 27 runs in 6 overs together.

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan came to open the innings for the team. Chasing 120-run was certainly tough but not impossible considering India’s strong batting line up. But they lose their very first wicket Rohit Sharma (1) caught by Soumya Sarkar in Al-Amin’s first over. Then Virat Kohli joined Dhawan and both guided India to a fantastic victory. Kohli’s 41 (28b, 4s x 5) gave India much needed solidarity to the team at the right time.

Shikhar Dhawan was astounding. He hit boundaries at ease without caring who’s bowling from the other end. In fact, most Bangladeshi bowlers gave away too many runs except Taskin Ahmed who bowled amazingly giving just 14 runs in his 3-over spell. He also dismissed left-handed Dhawan 60 (44b, 4s x 9, 6s x 1) caught by Sarkar in his last over. Then Dhoni joined Virat as India needed 21 runs to win from 14 deliveries. But captain cool Mahi finished things off in style hitting 20 runs in the 14th over with a six down the ground. With this India won their 6th Asia Cup title.