A file image of Virender Sehwag
India successfully defended the Asia Cup title in the most dramatic fashion, beating Bangladesh in a last-ball thriller on Friday. Indian team was chasing a modest target of 223 at Dubai International Stadium, after winning the toss and inviting Bangladesh to bat first.
Despite their batting prowess and wealth of experience, India almost failed to reach that target as the tension reached a breaking point.
It was left to a limping Kedar Jadhav to face the final ball with the scores level. He tried to flick it down to the fine leg boundary and failed to do so, but India got a single leg bye and did just enough.
After the emphatic win over Bangladesh former Indian opener Virendra Sehwag and his arch-rival Former Pakistan's speedster Shoaib Akhtar took to Twitter congratulate Team India and appreciate the performance of Bangladesh players throughout the tournament. Many cricket experts hailed the leadership quality of Bangla skipper Mashrafe Mortaza.
So near yet so far from Bangladesh. Congratulations to Team India on winning the #AsiaCup2018 . Hats off to Bangladesh for such a spirited fight despite missing key players. India have a lot of areas to work upon despite winning this & I am hopeful, they will get better. #IndvBan
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 28, 2018
Congratulations to team India for winning the Asia cup final but must congratulate team Bangladesh also for putting up a great fight ..
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) September 28, 2018
Tonight cricket won ..
#AsiaCup2018Final Great final..India were a cut above the rest and the team to beat.. Rohit is an outstanding leader, but for me, the captain of the tournament was Mashrafe Murtaza. He didn’t let Tamim & Shakib’s absence deter his team’s campaign. They almost made it!
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) September 28, 2018
A great game of cricket! Congratulations team India! 🇮🇳🇮🇳 A nail biting finals, but we did it! #AsiaCup2018 #INDvBAN
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 28, 2018
Congratulations India on becoming #AsiaCup Champions. Hats off to Bangladesh for their splendid fight and attitude, for not giving up and playing out of their skins,this despite missing Shakib and Tamim. Special mention to Kedar Jadhav for his grit and commitment #IndvBan
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) September 28, 2018
Earlier, the Bangladesh innings was built around a first one-day international century by opener Liton Das, who struck and assured 121 featuring 12 fours and two sixes.
He put on 120 runs for the first wicket with surprise opener Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who managed just 32 of them before being caught in the 21st over off Jadhav. After that, the Bangladesh innings faded.
India won the tournament for the seventh time, having beaten Bangladesh in 2016 final which was played in Twenty20 format.
Jadhav was forced to retired hurt with a hamstring injury, but came out again at the fall of the sixth wicket — with India on 212-6 — and finished unbeaten on 23.
Kuldeep Yadav was the other unbeaten batsman, on five, as India reached 223-7 to win by three wickets.