DHAKA: India easily defeated Afghanistan by eight wickets in their last match in the Asia Cup 2014 here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.
HunzaNews March 5th, 2014.
Chasing 160, they completed the victory, losing only two wickets, in just 32.2 overs.
This was only the second win in their four matches in the tournament after defeating Bangladesh and losing other two matches to Sri Lanka and Pakistan, who have already qualified for the final to be played on Saturday.
Afghanistan, playing for the first time in Asia Cup, impressed with good performance winning one match and losing three matches. Their only victory came against hosts Bangladesh.
Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane batted with comfort to take India to 121 in 23.3 overs before both departed within the space of just two runs.
However, the victory for India was just 37 runs away which was achieved by Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik from 53 balls.
Dhawan scored 60 off 78 balls with four boundaries and a six while Rahane made 56 from 66 balls with five fours.
Karthik and Sharma remained not out on 21 and 18, respectively.
Earlier, India bowled out Afghanistan for 159 in 45.2 after putting them into bat.
Only three batsmen could get into the double figures for Afghanistan.
Late-order batsman Samiullah Shenwari was the only batsman to reach a half-century as he made exact 50 off 73 balls. He was followed by opener Noor Ali Zadran (31) and Mohammad Shahzad (22).
Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja was named Man-of-the-Match for capturing four wickets for 30.
Off-break bowler Ravichandran Ashwin bagged three for 31 while pace-bowler Mohammad Shami claimed two and Amit Mishra took one wicket.
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