Colombo: Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik produced one of the best knocks of his career and blasted 29 off 8 balls as India beat Bangladesh by four wickets to win the Nidahas Trophy final in Colombo on Sunday. Needing five runs off the last ball, Karthik hit a flat-bat six over extra cover to keep India’s T20I record intact against Bangladesh. Karthik single-handedly changed the complexion of the game as he walked out to bat after Manish Pandey’s fall and hit two sixes and as many fours in the 19th over to add vital 22 runs to India’s score.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma brought up his 14th T20I fifty to keep India in the hunt after Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina departed cheaply.
Sabbir Rahman led the way with 77 off 50 balls as Bangladesh posted a competitive 166/8 on the board after being put in to bat by Rohit Sharma in the final of the tri-series at the R. Premadasa Stadium here on Sunday. After losing three early wickets, Sabbir and Rahim orchestrated Bangladesh’s recovery before Mahmudullah, Shakib and Mehidy Hasan all played a part to push the score along.
In what was a virtual semi-final against the Islanders on Friday, Bangladesh pulled off a brilliant two-wicket win from the jaws of defeat in the final over, which was marred by ugly scenes following the on-field umpires’ failure to call the second delivery of the over a no-ball for height. Bangladesh’s intent shows that they are eager to win this tournament and have not come here to make up the numbers.
