When Bangladesh reached the final in the Asia Cup 2016, it wasn’t like they claimed that position as a favorite. The tournament kicked off with these same two contenders. But India beat Bangladesh comprehensively in the tournament opener by a 45-run margin.
So, making their way through to the final and meeting their old rival again needed some sheer hard work for Bangladesh. However, they couldn’t alter the result as India beat them again in the final by 8 wickets, claiming the Asia Cup for the 6th time in history.
Let’s dive into the vault of memory where we’ll analyze the India Vs. Bangladesh 2016 Asia Cup final.
A Rain-Reduced Asia Cup 2016 Final at Mirpur
The match was never expected to be played in the first place, given the 90-minute thunderstorm and downpour at Mirpur. Amazingly, the groundworkers revived the field in an hour and made it playable again.
But due to loss of time, the Asia Cup 2016 final was reduced to 15 overs aside. Much to the relief of the anticipating fans, the ball started rolling on the pitch.
M. S. Dhoni won the toss and elected to field first. Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar walked down the field to start Bangladesh’s innings. Bangladesh was in high spirits as they beat Pakistan in a breathtaking match by 5 wickets just 4 days ago.
On the other hand, India remained undefeated throughout the tournament, but hardly took Bangladesh lightly as a ‘final’ opponent.
Bangladesh Grapples into Posing a Challenging Total
Bangladesh finished 120 for 5 in their stipulated 15 overs— undoubtedly, a fighting score considering the weather hit that altered pitch and ground conditions. But it wasn’t as easy as it seems.
Bangladesh had to struggle to get to this total thanks to the smooth opening stand between Tamim and Soumya, a moderate partnership between Shakib and Sabbir, and an explosive ending by the experienced Mahmudullah!
All these good segments added to a considerable score for Bangladesh.
Tamim and Soumya Start Off Smooth
Dhoni handed the ball to Ravichandran Ashwin who showed his commitment with his spin variations. Tamim faced 5 balls from Ashwin to open his score. Soumya got a strike and ended the first over with an excellent cover drive through to the boundary line.
Then things started looking well for Bangladesh. Tamim came down the wicket in Ashish Nehra’s very first delivery in the 2nd over of the innings and flicked it through the square leg region for a boundary. He lofted another one of Nehra in the 4th over over the long-off area for another boundary.
Soumya took on Nehra in the same over, hitting him back-to-back boundaries. Then Nehra came back with a delivery between a good and short length.
Soumya mistimed it in an attempt to slog it to the mid-wicket but got caught by Pandya for 14 (9). Bangladesh was 27 for 1 at the end of the 4th over.
Shakib and Sabbir Partnered
Sabbir Ahmed came at number 3 after Soumya’s departure to join Tamim. But Tamim departed soon after Soumya as Bumrah’s spot on 141 KPH delivery trapped him in an LBW. Tamim got out for 13 (17) as Shakib Al Hasan came into bat at number 4.
Shakib and Sabbir tried to keep the innings steady for a while as they kept rotating the strike along with well-timed boundaries. Their partnership took Bangladesh from 30 for 2 to 64 when Ashwin struck the 3rd blow to the Bangladeshi innings. He took out Shakib who made 21 (16) with three 4s.
Shakib tried to sweep Ashwin’s delivery over the short fine leg, however, Bumrah had an easy catch to see Shakib off the ground.
Mahmudullah’s Daunting Cameo: 33 off 13!
After losing their 3rd wicket, Mushfiqur Rahim joined Sabbir, but a brilliant throw from the deep midwicket by Kohli relieved him from his duty in the 12th over. Mushfiqur tried to steal a second run which never happened due to Dhoni’s swift handy work.
At the fall of the 4th wicket, Bangladesh captain Mashrafi Bin Mortaza promoted himself to the number 6 position, expecting to accelerate the run rate. Bangladesh was reeling on 74 for 4 in 11.3 overs at just above 6 runs per over.
But Mortaza came and went. He slogged a skier in the very first delivery from Jadeja and was bagged by Kohli in the deep midwicket. The Bangladeshi crowd got their hearts throbbed in back-to-back deliveries, going absolutely mute.
Nonetheless, Mahmudullah came in and settled in quickly to mobilize the Bangladesh run wheel. He and Sabbir tackled Indian bowlers for the last few overs smartly. And from 75 for 5 in 11.4 overs, Bangladesh ended up 120 for 5 in 15.
This duo added a blistering 45 off 20 balls of which Mahmudullah alone contributed 33 off just 13 balls! He slashed 2 big 6s and 2 4s in his unbeaten innings. Sabbir on the other hand, played a safe 32 off 29 not out, managing 3 boundaries overall.
Now it was up to Indian batters how they would reply to a total like this.
India Wins the Final Almost Effortlessly
Not much, but the Bangladeshi bowlers were expected to put up a little fight to make it an enduring final. That never happened.
India cheerfully beat Bangladesh as though it was a light-hearted total to chase down. They won the match by 8 wickets and with 13 balls to spare.
Rohit Departs Early
Rohit Sharma failed to stand up to the expectation in the final. Pacer Al-Amin Hossain had him in the 2nd slip by Soumya with a delivery outside off.
Rohit tried to slash it through a square but only managed to nick a thick edge.
Rohit was gone for just 1, queuing behind Sabbir (Ban), Kohli (Ind), and Dinesh (SL) with 138 runs in the Asia Cup 2016 tournament.
Dhawan and Kohli Steady the Wheel
Shikhar Dhawan never looked bothered by any of the Bangladeshi bowlers, pace or spin. Instead, he dominated them with his sensational shot after shot throughout his innings. His mindblowing 60 off 44 with 9 boundaries and 1 six paved the way for an effortless win for India.
Virat Kohli did what he still does best— the perfect run-chasing. He again appeared smooth and sensible as he partnered Dhawan with his 41 (28) not-out knock.
When Dhawan perished by a brilliant catch by Soumya at a point in Taskin Ahmed’s full toss delivery, India was already 99 in 12.4 overs.
Dhoni Finishes in Style
Kohli continued anchoring as Dhoni came in and decided to rush the victory. It took Captain Cool just 6 deliveries to finish the match! His 6-ball 20 runs (two 6s and one 4) brought India the 6th Asia Cup home.
Dhoni slammed Al-Amin Hossain’s full toss delivery to the midwicket which sailed over the rope to seal the match then and there.
Key Moments of Asia Cup 2016 Final
Although it was a one-sided match given India’s sensational batting, there were some highlight moments that had perhaps turned the fate of the match right and left.
- Tamim got spared off an LBW appeal in Ashwin’s very first delivery of the match that looked pretty close.
- Soumya’s confident batting 14(9) until he was out due to a mistimed shot
- Shakib’s wicket in the nick of time (9.1 overs) when he was looking good for his 21(16)
- Kohli’s brilliant throw from deep midwicket to get Mushfiqur Rahim runout in 11.3 overs.
- Mahmudullah’s brave and timely unbeaten 33 runs off 13 balls; an invaluable contribution to Bangladesh’s total
- Rohit’s early departure in 1.1 overs
- Dhawan and Kohli gathered 94 runs in 2nd wicket partnership in the chase.
- Smashing 6s by the finisher Dhoni
