COLUMBUS: India A set up a potentially high-voltage Emerging Asia Cup final against Pakistan A after defeating Bangladesh A by 51 runs in the semi-finals here on Friday.
Bangladesh had India on the ropes, bringing them together with 211, a total made possible by captain Yash Dhull’s impressive 66 from 85 balls.
However, the Indian spinners made use of the slightly sticky pitch to bag Bangladesh for 160 to celebrate a big win. Left-arm spinner Nishant Sindhu punctuated Bangladesh’s downfall with a five-wicket haul (5 for 20).
But the real protagonist of India’s victory was Dhull. He has been talked about on the Indian domestic circuit as a player to be preserved in cotton, and the day’s innings proved why.
At 20, Dhull has a much more settled head on his shoulders. The Delhi youngster came into the middle when India were 75 for 2 in the 19th.
Dhull immediately tackled a set of Bangladeshi bowlers, who exploited a spin bunt to keep the shackles on the Indian batsmen.
Most fell in their attempt to step on the gas, and the responsibility of pushing Indian innings fell on Dhull’s shoulders.
He also handled the pressure with aplomb. Overall, Dhull batted for 30 overs in the match and was the last man to be dismissed in 50 overs.
Dhull and Manav Suther added 41 runs for the eighth wicket to take India close to the 200-run mark, which they eventually managed to surpass.
But, the total looked sub-par once the Bangladeshi colts thundered off the block. They scored six runs and more as openers Tanzid Hasan (51, 56 balls) and Mohammad Naim (38, 40 balls) punished the Indian bowlers.
Bangladesh reached 70 in just over 11 overs. But once the ball began to lose its shine and hardness, the Indian spinners brought their team back into the game.
Left-arm spinner Suthar dislodged Naim and that started a procession of Bangladeshi batsmen back to the pavilion.
They lost the rest of the nine wickets over 90 runs to complete a spectacular implosion as Sindhu weaved his magic.
Earlier, Pakistan A defeated Sri Lanka A by 60 runs in the first semi-final to enter the summit clash.
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