Bangladesh collapse to hand India easy win

Virender Sehwag took four wickets in 17 balls as Bangladesh collapsed to 167 in the 35th over of the Asia Cup's second match.

Virender Sehwag took four wickets in 17 balls as Bangladesh collapsed to 167 in the 35th over before India chased down the target for the loss of only four wickets in the second match of the Asia Cup.

Bangladesh, who were moving along nicely at 155 for four, were rocked as Ravindra Jadeja broke a 55-run partnership by dismissing Mahmudullah for 23 before Sehwag and Rohit Sharma took the last five wickets.

In reply, Gautam Gambhir led the charge with a composed 82 off 101 deliveries as India completed the job in the 31st over that earned them a bonus point as well.

None of the Bangladesh batsmen played a long innings after most of the top order got starts that took them to 81 in the 14th over. Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes gave a flying start before the spinners destroyed the Bangladesh’s middle-order after Ashish Nehra and Praveen Kumar got rid of the openers and Mohammad Ashraful.

Dhoni, who finished the match with two boundaries, said, “Most of the senior players did well. It was good that we batted for half an hour before the break. It is 200 per cent difficult to bat under lights here.”

Gambhir, named man of the match, was upbeat after the win. “This was a perfect pitch for me to come back on. If Bangladesh had got more than 240, it would have been difficult.”

Bangladesh, who would have a lot to learn following the crushing defeat, take on defending champions Sri Lanka in the next match tomorrow.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2010.