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India bow out of Asia Cup with easy win

March 06, 2014 00:00:00


Afghanistan batsman Samiullah Shenwari runs between wickets as Indian bowler Mohammed Shami looks on during the match between India and Afghanistan at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city Wednesday. — AFP Photo

World Cup champions India ended their disappointing campaign in the Asia Cup with an eight-wicket romp over minnows Afghanistan in their final league match in the city Wednesday, reports AFP.

Spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin shared seven wickets as India skittled Afghanistan for 159 after electing to field at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium.

Openers Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan then put on a 121-run stand as India surpassed the modest target in the 33rd over of their innings.

Rahane scored 56 and left-handed Dhawan made 60 before both batsmen fell in successive overs, but Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik saw their team through in the one-sided contest.

The first-ever one-dayer between the two teams had no bearing on the tournament because Pakistan and Sri Lanka have already qualified for Saturday's final.

India finished the five-nation tournament with two wins against hosts Bangladesh and Afghanistan, but having lost key matches against Sri Lanka and arch-rivals Pakistan.

Afghanistan, preparing for their maiden World Cup appearance next year, were beaten in three of their four matches, their lone victory coming against the hosts.

Samiullah Shenwari top-scored with 50 and Noor Ali Zadran made 31, but eight Afghanistan batsmen failed to reach double figures in good batting conditions.

India 160 for 2 (Dhawan 60, Rahane 56) beat Afghanistan 159 (Shenwari 50, Jadeja 4-30, Ashwin 3-31) by eight wickets.


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