Mirpur (Bangladesh), March 5 (IANS) India ended their disappointing Asia Cup cricket campaign with a massive eight-wicket win over Afghanistan in their last league ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here Wednesday.
With their hopes of entering the final already over, India had only pride to play for in what was their maiden ODI encounter against Afghanistan.
Shikhar Dhawan made 60 and Ajinkya Rahane 56 as India achieved the 160-run target in 32.2 overs. Dinesh Karthik was unbeaten on 21 and Rohit Sharma on 18.
Earlier, Afghanistan were bowled out for 159 runs in 45.2 overs. But Indian bowlers, again struggling to wrap up the tail, allowed Afghanistan to make a great recovery from 97 for seven before being all out for 159 runs in 45.2 overs.
Afghanistan skipper Samiullah Shenwari was the top scorer with a fine 50 while opening batsman Noor Ali Zadran (31) and Mohammad Shehzad (22) were the other two batsmen who could get to double figures.
Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja (4/30) and Ravichandran Ashwin (3/31) shared seven wickets among them. Jadeja was adjudged as Man of the Match.
Put in, the Afghans made a brisk start despite losing opener Nawroz Mangal (5) in the sixth over. Zadran’s brisk 35-ball 31 that had six fours kept the runs flowing freely in the first 10 overs.
Double strikes by Jadeja in the 13th over in three balls to remove Rahmat Shah (5) and Zadran triggered a batting collapse that left Afghanistan struggling at 83 for six. But heroic knocks from Shahzad and Shenwari helped them stave off the ignominy of getting bowled out for less than 100 runs.
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