Abhishek's fireworks and superior spin power take India to Asia Cup final

Bangladesh put up a brave fight, led by opener Saif Hassan's 69 off 51, but lost to India's superior all-round game in an Asia Cup Super 4s game in Dubai on Wednesday.

Abhishek Sharma starred with a brilliant 75 off 37, and Kuldeep Yadav claimed 3/18 as India won by 41 runs, after dismissing Bangladesh for 127, to book their berth in Sunday's final.

Barring Hassan and Parvez Emon, who struggled but made a 19-ball 21, no other Bangladesh batter scored in double digits. India's spin proved too good for the neighbours as Varun Chakravarthy too was effective, claiming 2/29. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah found his rhythm to claim 2/18.

Hassan was dropped on at least four occasions, including once by keeper Sanju Samson, who took the responsibility to chase a skier all the way to silly mid-on, only to be deceived by the change of direction. Eventually, Axar Patel took one on the fence to end Bangladesh's resistance.

India's progress to the final means Sri Lanka have been knocked out. Bangladesh and Pakistan will clash on Thursday, with the winner guaranteed a date with India in the title clash.

Earlier in the evening, India found themselves in unfamiliar territory with wickets tumbling after Abhishek Sharma gave yet another dream start.

Hardik Pandya's (38 off 29) street smarts came in handy as India posted 168/6 in 20 overs. India were 77/0 in 6.1 overs, thanks to openers Sharma and Shubman Gill.

Credit to the Bangladesh bowlers, India couldn't bat freely at the start, hitting just one boundary in the first three overs as Tanzim Hasan and Nasum Ahmed kept it tight. But Sharma and Gill found their rhythm and got India to 72/0 in the powerplay (6 overs).

India went past 100 in 10.1 overs with Sharma smashing Saifuddin for a six. But the fearless opener was run out after a brilliant 75 off 37. India were 114/4 in 12 overs, then slipped up further, losing Tilak Varma to a wild swing.

Sharma was lucky early on as he nicked one behind, but Jaker Ali couldn't hold on to the gift. But the Bangladesh fielders were brilliant otherwise. Shivam Dube, who was promoted, perished for two off 3, caught by Towhid Hridoy off Hossain. Captain Suryakumar Yadav (5 off 11) edged one behind off Mustafizur Rahman, with Jaker Ali taking a smart catch. Hossain claimed 2/27, while Rahman, Saiffuddin and Tanzim bagged one apiece.

India were unchanged from their 6-wicket win against Pakistan. For Bangladesh, stand-in skipper Jaker Ali announced four changes, including skipper Litton Das, who has an injury.

Brief scores: India 168/6 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 75, Hardik Pandya 38, Shubman Gill 29, Rishad Hossain 2/27) bt Bangladesh 127 in 19.2 overs (Saif Hassan 69, Kuldeep Yadav 3/18, Jasprit Bumrah 2/18, Varun Chakravarthy 2/29)