Bangladesh beat India in super over thriller to reach final

There is never a Bangladesh–India match without excitement. Often the result stays undecided until the very final ball. But today's first semifinal of the Rising Stars Asia Cup between Bangladesh 'A' and India 'A', held at Doha's West End Park International Stadium, offered something even bigger. Bangladesh reached the final after defeating India in a super over.

With 5 wickets in hand, India 'A' needed 16 runs in the final over. Bangladesh captain Akbar Ali gave the ball to Rakibul Hasan. On the third ball, Ashutosh Sharma hit Rakibul for a six, then struck a four off the next delivery. However, Zisan Alam dropped a straightforward catch at long-off. Rakib turned the match back in Bangladesh's favour by bowling Ashutosh on the fifth ball. Off the last delivery, Harsh Dubey pushed the ball to long-on and ran three. As Dubey was completing the second run, wicketkeeper Akbar Ali broke the off stump and ended up throwing an overthrow, allowing Dubey to take an extra run and tie the match.

In the super over, India lost two wickets without scoring a run thanks to Ripon Mondol's fiery bowling. On the first ball, Ripon bowled Indian captain Jitesh Sharma. He dismissed Ashutosh Sharma on the next delivery to end India's innings. Even with just 1 run needed, the drama wasn't over. On the first ball, Yasir Ali Chowdhury Rabbi attempted a big shot off Suyash Sharma but was caught at long-on by Ramandeep Singh. Suyash then bowled a wide on the next ball, sending Bangladesh to the final.

Chasing 195 runs, Vaibhav Suryavanshi's onslaught took India to 53 without loss in just 3.3 overs. Abdul Gaffar Sakline broke the stand by removing Suryavanshi on the fourth ball of the fourth over. Suryavanshi scored 38 off 15 balls with 2 fours and 4 sixes. As India's scoring rate slowed, they kept losing wickets. By 9.3 overs, Jitesh Sharma's India were 96 for 3. Jitesh and Nehal Wadhera added 52 runs for the fourth wicket.

Bangladesh's slippery fielding also helped India stretch their innings that far.

In the first semifinal of the Rising Stars Asia Cup, Indian captain Jitesh Sharma won the toss and chose to field. After being sent in to bat, Bangladesh were 144 for 6 after 18 overs. The Indian bowlers were punished in the final two overs. In the last 12 balls, Bangladesh did not lose a wicket. Jay (60) was trapped lbw by Irish leg-spinner Gavin Hoey. Mominul Haque then came in to bat. He and Sadman added 37 runs off 35 balls for the second wicket. Sadman remained unbeaten on 69, while Mominul was batting on 19.