Asian Cup 2016 Final Bangladesh Vs India Played At SBNCS 6 March 2016.

India 122/2 (S Dhawan 60, V Kohli 41*) beat Bangladesh 120/5 ( Mahmudullah 33* , Sabbir 32 ) by 5 wickets.

We have no hesitation in accepting that better team on the day, the best performing team of the Asia Cup 2016 team India deservedly won the championship.

This was India’s sixth Asia Cup Championship. Bangladesh, the second best team of the tournament became runners up losing twice in the tournament to the champions. Bangladesh lost the tournaments opening match and eventually the final.

The margin of defeat in the final by 8 wickets does not accurately reflect the actual intensity of the contest. In reality, the rain curtailed match was much closely contested.

Scorning 120 runs in rain curtailed 15 over match batting first was not a mean achievement. But superior batting unit playing cool and nerveless cricket won the day for team India.

Bangladesh was not at all disgraced. India spoiled the party of the tigers. Tears of joy may need to be waited for another few years. Twice Bangladesh went to the final twice it lost. Perhaps it will be third time lucky for sure.

Reaching the final of the tournament through wins over champions of the past Pakistan and Sri Lanka were no mean achievement. It was played in T20 tournament in which Bangladesh does not have great track record.

Heavy rain and thunderstorm almost washed out the match. Sometimes rain comes as blessing, sometimes as curse. The well-drained Shere–Bangla Cricket Stadium wicket was made ready in no time after recession of rain.

But toss luck went against Bangladesh. In a reduced over curtailed tournament the team batting second usually gets advantage while chasing with all wickets intact. And if that happens to the best batting side of the world at the moment one can image what happens to the side losing the toss and batting first.

The wicket was not much affected but the outfield was slow. Bangladesh batting first was not very sure what could be a winning target. Tamim and Soumya made a sedate start. But as soon as they started opening up both lost the wickets.

Sabbir and Shakib were resurrecting and were looking good. But unfortunately Shakib got up at a very critical stage. Mashrafe hardly makes misjudgment.

Mahamudullah is one of the few batting success of Bangladesh in the tournament. He deserved batting at 5 as prolific Mushfique struggled for form throughout the tournament. This match was the occasion to let player in prime form bat higher.

Moreover, finisher Nasir was in the side yesterday. Mushfique was sent in. But unfortunately he got himself run out soon. Mashrafe came and went creating huge pressure on Bangladesh batting.

Mahmudullah came with very few deliveries left. Sabbir was watching all the drama getting unfolded from the other end. He batted like a true champion. His unfinished partnership with Sabbir added 45 invaluable runs in 32 deliveries in which Mahmudullah himself contributed unbeaten 33 in only 13 deliveries.

The score looked much more competitive at 120/5 than what it could be without Mahmudullah storm. Tamim (13), Soumya (14), Shakib (21) all got in and got out. It was poor luck that embraced Bangladesh on the day.

Indian bowling was nothing spectacular or menacing. As it eventually turned out another 20 runs perhaps could challenge Indians on the day.

Advantaged by the toss strong and experienced Indian batting line up got an early blow when prolific Rohit Sharma was sent back as early as the second over by the highest wicket taker of the tournament.

But two seasoned professionals Shikhar Dhawan and Viart Kohli played cool and guided India to yet another trophy. Dhawan scored 60 in 44 balls before getting out to Taskin. Kohli was there when lucky Indian Captain Dhoni  stroked India to another trophy win. Bangladesh lost by 8 wickets but India batted till 13.5 overs.

Bangladeshis all over the world dreamt and dream did not come true. Bangladesh lost to number one ranked T20 team. They were defeated but in no way disgraced.

Finishing second in tournament having three past and reigning Asia cup champions is also no mean achievement. There were no lack of efforts by any players.

Bangladeshi cricket admirers can still take pride on team performance and look ahead for better result in the future.

Sabbir with 167 runs finished as player of the tournament and highest run getter, Al Amin won the collect player of the tournament with his 11 wickets

Congrats tigers, world cricket waits for greater glories in future.

BDST:  1445 HRS, MAR 07, 2016
RS/SMS