India Beat Bangladesh by 41 Runs to Reach Final

Darwin, 25 September —

Defending champions and the only unbeaten side in the tournament, India carried a reputation for having the most formidable batting line-up. Yet Bangladesh’s bowlers made the task look easy by restricting India to just 168 runs. However, under the desert sky in Dubai, the chase ended in disappointment as Bangladesh’s batting faltered, handing India a 41-run victory.

The defeat leaves Bangladesh with a clear equation: to qualify for the final, Steve Rhodes’ side must beat Pakistan in their last Super Four match. A loss would mean an early ticket home.

Early setback in the chase

At the Dubai International Stadium, Bangladesh stumbled right at the start of their run chase, losing opener Tanzid Tamim with only four runs on the board. Saif Hassan joined Parvez Hossain Emon to steady the innings through the Powerplay. But in the seventh over, Kuldeep Yadav broke the stand.

Emon, who had earlier stunned Jasprit Bumrah with a six, attempted a sweep shot against him but was caught at square leg for 21. Once that partnership ended, Bangladesh’s innings unraveled. Middle-order batters Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, and Zakir Ali all failed, none reaching double digits, with Shamim dismissed for a duck.

Only opener Saif Hassan offered resistance. With brave stroke play, he fought alone against India’s bowlers, crafting a gritty 67 off 51 balls—the highest score for his side. Apart from him and Emon, no Bangladeshi batter managed to cross 10 runs.

India’s innings: early control, middle collapse, late recovery

Earlier, Bangladesh had won the toss and opted to bowl. The decision paid off initially as Tanzeem Hasan Sakib and Nasum Ahmed kept India to just 17 runs in the first three overs, keeping both Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill quiet.

But the complexion changed swiftly. India unleashed a counter-attack, hammering 72 runs in the Powerplay without losing a wicket. Nasum, who had been economical in his first over, conceded 21 runs in his second.

Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain turned the tide in the seventh over, dismissing Gill for 29 off 19, caught at long-off. In his next over, he trapped Shivam Dube with a googly, caught at the same position for just 2.

Despite the wickets, Abhishek Sharma kept punishing Bangladesh. His fluent 75 off 37 balls, studded with six fours and five sixes, built India’s foundation. His innings ended through a run-out in the 12th over, with the score at 112. In the same over, Mustafizur Rahman removed Suryakumar Yadav for a low score, caught behind while attempting a leg-side stroke.

That wicket made Mustafizur Bangladesh’s highest T20 wicket-taker, crossing the 150-mark. Soon after, Tilak Varma departed for India’s fifth wicket, caught by Saif Hassan off Tanzeem Sakib. At 129 for 5, India’s run rate slowed, but Hardik Pandya revived the innings with a crucial knock.

Pandya’s 38 off 28 balls ensured India reached a competitive 168 before their innings closed.

Bowling efforts

For Bangladesh, Rishad Hossain was the standout, taking 2 wickets for 27 runs. Mustafizur Rahman and Tanzeem Sakib claimed one wicket each.

What’s next

With the loss, Bangladesh remain in contention but must beat Pakistan in their final Super Four clash to secure a place in the final alongside India. Failure to do so will end their campaign.