Bangladesh weather Gill century to snatch consolation win
The captain Shakib Al Hasan and debutant Tanzim Hasan Sakib played big roles to ensure they got one past India
The captain Shakib Al Hasan and debutant Tanzim Hasan Sakib played big roles to ensure they got one past India
Scorer: @Thilak_Rama | Commentator: @himanshu_a30
So Bangladesh fight their way to a close win despite Gill's 121. India's batting line-up, missing only Kohli among the regulars, fell just short of chasing 266 to give Bangladesh a consolation win. Sidharth Monga's report details the rest of it. Now there's only one match to go in this year's Asia Cup. Sri Lanka will host India in the final on Sunday. But before that comes, you can also follow New Zealand's chase against England, and Australia's attempt to climb Mount 417 vs South Africa. Until next time, this is Himanshu signing off on behalf of Monga, Thilak and Raghav! Good night!
Geo: "It is not as if this is a completely second-string Indian team - other than Tilak and Prasidh, everyone else has loads of experience with them....so it is very, very good for Bangladesh!"
Shakib Al Hasan is the Player of the Match: "We gave [chances] to the guys who haven't played much. We thought spinners will play a part, and luckily they did. I wasn't batting well during this Asia Cup, but today I had time to settle. When I hit my first boundary, it felt good. When the ball got older, spin was difficult to play. When Mahedi came on, it wasn't easy to bowl. He bowled five overs in a row in the end. I should give credit to Sakib (Tanzim) also. I think we have got a very good team [for the World Cup]. Lot of injuries, and players coming in and going out didn't help during this Asia Cup."
Time for the presentations
Zia: "@Habib: don't forget about Shanto and Ebadot"
Habib: "With their top pace trio (Taskin, Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful), Tamim and Mushfiq missing, it's a big win for Bangladesh."
Rohit Sharma after the tight loss: "We wanted to give some game time to the guys, keeping the bigger picture in mind. Not compromising on how we wanted to play this game. Get in some players who are likely to play the World Cup. Axar batted brilliantly, but couldn't finish. He showed a lot of character. But credit to the Bangladesh bowlers. Not to forget, Gill's hundred was brilliant. He backs his game; he knows exactly how he wants to play. Pretty clear on what he wants to do for the team. Look at his form over the last year. Pretty solid against the new ball. Works really hard; there's no optional practice for Gill."
Tanzim Hasan: "First wicket of Rohit bhai was a dream wicket. I just concentrate on line and length. I mentally prepare myself for a long spell. That ball (the last ball to Shami), I believed I could bowl the perfect ball. Very good feeling."
11.04pm Another nail-biter from Colombo. Bangladesh edge past India - the third time in four matches between the teams that the result has gone Bangladesh's way - even as India happily experimented after having already made the Asia Cup final. But take nothing away from Bangladesh: they were without Mushfiqur and Taskin, having already been hit by injuries earlier in the tournament. A win too late perhaps, but still a confidence booster ahead of the World Cup. Hang around for the presentations.
Mohammed Shami run out 6 (10m 6b 1x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
12 off 4
Srini: "Shami can hit a couple of sixes. Just wait, watch and smack."
Tanzim will bowl the last over. India need 12.
Three slips waiting
Head coach Hathurusinghe pleased with "depth of our other players" after struggling to put on a "collective effort" in Asia Cup
India fell short against Bangladesh, but Gill appeared to bat on a pitch different to the ones the others struggled so much on
The captain Shakib Al Hasan and debutant Tanzim Hasan Sakib played big roles to ensure they got one past India
India, who are already through to the final, may be tempted to rest some players
Iyer, who suffered back spasms earlier this week, was the busiest of five players that turned up for training