Abhishek Sharma's blistering fifty and Hardik Pandya's late blitz helped India set a massive target of 169 runs against Bangladesh in the Super Fours clash at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, on Wednesday.
Bangladesh’s stand-in captain Jaker Ali’s decision to put India into bat backfired as the 2016 champions racked up 168/6 in their 20 overs.
India’s in-form opening pair of Abhishek and Shubman Gill gave them a flying start by putting together 77 runs inside seven overs until Rishad Hossain provided Bangladesh with a much-needed breakthrough by getting rid of the latter.
Gill remained a notable contributor to India’s total with a 19-ball 29, comprising two fours and a six.
Abhishek was then involved in brief partnerships with Shivam Dube (two) and captain Suryakumar Yadav (five) before eventually getting run out in the 12th over. He walked back after top-scoring for India with 75 off 37 deliveries, studded with five sixes and six fours.
Following his dismissal, India lost two more wickets in quick succession and were consequently reduced to 129/5 in 14.3 overs before Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel launched a recovery.
The duo put together 39 runs for the sixth wicket until Mohammad Saifuddin got Pandya caught on the final delivery of the innings. The all-rounder contributed with 38 off 29 deliveries, laced with four fours and a six.
Patel, on the other hand, remained unbeaten with a scratchy 10 off 15 deliveries.
Rishad was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, taking two wickets for 27 runs in his three overs, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman and Saifuddin chipped in with one apiece.