India retained the Asia Cup with a three-wicket win off the last ball against a fighting Bangladesh who were anchored by a maiden hundred from opener Liton Das in Dubai on Friday.
India made heavy weather of a modest 223-run target as Bangladesh fought for every run before the defending champions achieved victory off the last ball at Dubai International Cricket stadium.
After put in to bat first, Bangladesh were bowled out for 222 in 48.3 overs despite a solid opening stand of 120 between Das and Mehidy Hasan.
With their settled opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, India were expected to run away with victory, like they did in the previous matches but Bangladesh were not ready to give up without a fight.
Dhawan was dismissed for 15 and Rohit for a punishing 55-ball 48, studded with three sixes and as many boundaries. Dinesh Karthik (37) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (36) added 54 for the fourth wicket but once both were dismissed Bangladesh looked like pulling off an upset.
Ravindra Jadeja (23) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (21) brought the target within India’s reach through a 45-run stand for the sixth wicket but Bangladesh removed them both with eight runs still needed. India then required six off the last over and one off the final delivery which came as a leg-bye. Kedar Jadhav finished with unbeaten 23.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Great job by the guys to win that tight game last night. ✌🏾 @BCCI
Seventh Asia Cup title for us 🙌🏽 🏆
Congrats to Bangladesh as well for giving a tough fight. @BCBtigers #AsiaCupFinal #AsiaCup2018Final pic.twitter.com/hTHGSkq1kN— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) September 29, 2018
Congratulations #teamIndia on winning #AsiaCup for the record 7th time, Proud of you guys! 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳
Also appreciate high spirited game efforts by team #Bangladesh. #INDvBAN #AsiaCupFinal2018 pic.twitter.com/X3hiyiekCJ— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) September 29, 2018
Congratulations India on being coronated as The Asian Champions. Stupendous All Round show from #Hitman @ImRo45 and @SDhawan25. #IndVBan
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) September 29, 2018
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 ..
Tonight cricket won ..— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) 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 #TeamIndia 🇮🇳
Another trophy added to the cabinet. Well done boys 👏🏻🏆 #AsiaCupChampions @BCCI pic.twitter.com/O9AnXuaLzZ— Akshar Patel (@akshar2026) September 29, 2018
Have to love the chemistry between @KP24 and @JadhavKedar. This match was a thriller well played #sabbadhiyaahai #INDvBAN. #champions
— VarunDhawan (@Varun_dvn) September 28, 2018
Great effort by @BCBtigers , giving a champion side ,a run for their money , congratulations for @BCCI for winning the #AsiaCup2018Final
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) September 28, 2018
Not for the weak hearted. A match worthy of a final. Excellent from the Indian bowlers to set up yet another win….and Bhuvi, Jadeja & Jadhav for holding their nerve. Best team of the tournament keeps the trophy 🏆 Well Played, India 😊🙌👏👍
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 28, 2018
Most Asia Cup victories:
7 India
5 Sri Lanka
2 Pakistan#IndvBan #AsiaCup2018— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) September 28, 2018
Whattaa match..😎😎..INDIA INDIAAAA.. pic.twitter.com/2RQBKLgjZX
— vennela kishore (@vennelakishore) September 28, 2018
India finally prevailed in the last ball thriller of the #AsiaCupFinal. A game that swung both ways and kept everyone guessing. A big shout to Bangladesh for their never say die spirit and for fighting it out till the very end. #INDvBAN
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) September 29, 2018
Congratulations team india 👏👏🇮🇳🏆😊 well done boys 👍 pic.twitter.com/NqcCWtQHwT
— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) September 28, 2018
Congratulations team India for champions of Asia cup @BCCI well done Bangladish @BCBtigers
— Aftab Alam 55 (@aftabalam55786) September 28, 2018
Congratulations India on winning the Asia Cup. The bowlers were phenomenal throughout the tournament and the main reason that we managed to win. Really special effort from Bangladesh to take the game so deep. Well done #IndvBan
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) 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
Congratulations to #TeamIndia 🇮🇳 for winning the #AsiaCup2018 🏆title in a thrilling finale. Well done to every member of the squad, and to @ImRo45 for leading by example. Great effort to stay unbeaten in the tournament. @BCCI pic.twitter.com/KcG6astjuS
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) September 29, 2018
Part of most international tournaments' finals wins among Indians:
17 – Sachin Tendulkar
16 – Mohammad Azharuddin
10 – Ajay Jadeja, Anil Kumble, MS DHONI*#INDvBAN— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) September 28, 2018
