Skipper Shakib Al Hasan led the side from the front with a sterling allround performance as Bangladesh overcame a determined century of Shuvman Gill to beat India by 6 runs in their last match of the Asia Cup Super Four phase today at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
India earlier confirmed the final while Bangladesh were eliminated from the race following their seven-wicket and 21-run defeat to Pakistan and Sri Lanka respectively.
Nonetheless the win came as a boost for Bangladesh as they struggled in batting department in the whole tournament.
The top order batting once again came under scanner but Bangladesh middle order and lower order showed an unwavering resolve to help the side post a competitive 265-8 and it proved to be winning total at the end.
India, which came up without their five regular players, in the match turned out to be a dead-rubber for them, were finally all out for 259 in 49.5 overs.
Bangladesh also made six changes but it was captain Shakib who played the crucial role in helping the win the game. Shakib hammered 80 in the batting and then took 1-43 in his 10 overs.
He got the support from youngster Towhid Hridoy who made 54 and pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib who made a dream debut with 2-32 and also defended 12 runs in the last over.
Pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who these days got it tough to be included in the first choice team, made a shining comeback with 3-50 and he struck at crucial moment, dismissing Axar Patel who looked to take away the game.
But Axar Patel who made 34 ball-42 with three fours and two sixes kept the side afloat. However Mustafizur got him in the penultimate over to ruin India's hope to win the game.
Bangladesh which were put into bat first, faced a familiar top order collapse that reduced them to 59-4. While Shakib and Hridoy brought the side back to the contest, lower order had done the wonderful job unlike the previous matches.
Number 8 Nasum Ahmed hit career-best 44, No. 9Mahedi Hasan scored an unbeaten 29 and debutant Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who batted at No, 10 added 14 not out.
Thanks to their steely resolve, Bangladesh added 72 runs after Towhid Hridoy, the last recognized batter was dismissed, leaving the side 193-7 in 41.2 overs.
