India posted a commanding 202 for 5 in their 20 overs against Sri Lanka in the last Super Four fixture of the Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
The match carried little weight, with India already assured of a place in Sunday’s final after defeating Bangladesh earlier in the week. Pakistan sealed the other spot by edging Bangladesh on Thursday.
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and chose to bowl, making one change with Janith Liyanage replacing Chamika Karunaratne. India rested Jasprit Bumrah and Shivam Dube, giving opportunities to Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh.
India lost Shubman Gill early for 4, caught and bowled by Maheesh Theekshana in the second over. Captain Suryakumar Yadav added 12 off 13 before falling, but not before sharing a brisk 59-run stand with Abhishek Sharma. The powerplay proved explosive, yielding 71 runs.
Abhishek continued his superb form, blasting 61 off 31 balls before Asalanka dismissed him in the ninth over. His innings set a new record, surpassing Virat Kohli and Mohammad Rizwan to become the highest run-scorer in a single T20 Asia Cup edition.
Sanju Samson chipped in with 39 off 23, while Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 49 off 34 and Axar Patel’s 21 off 15 powered India beyond the 200 mark the first team to do so in this tournament. The final five overs produced 52 runs.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka and Asalanka each striking once.
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