Tuesday, March 20, 2012

India out of Asia Cup, Bangladesh to meet Pakistan in final

Bangladesh's victory - only their third over Sri Lanka in 30 one-day internationals - puts them through to meet Pakistan in the final on Thursday.
Pakistan topped the league with nine points from three matches, followed by Bangladesh (8/3), India (8/3) and Sri Lanka (0/3).
The hosts made it to the final as they beat India in their league match.

India were knocked out of the Asia Cup after minnows Bangladesh continued their giant-killing act by upsetting Sri Lanka by five wickets in the last league match.

Chasing a revised target of 212 after a rain interruption, the spirited hosts held their nerve to make their maiden entry into the summit showdown of the tournament where they will meet Pakistan on Thursday.
Put into bat, Sri Lanka were all out for 232 in 49.5 overs. But the target was reduced to 212 in 40 overs after a heavy downpour during the innings break, which lasted for a little more than an hour.

India needed a Sri Lankan victory to qualify for the final but now will have to pack their bags and return home. They had to pay the price for the shock defeat against Bangladesh.

Prior to Tuesday's match, Bangladesh were on four points and India on eight. But the hosts' win shut the door on India as they had defeated the Men in Blue earlier in the meet.

As per the rules of the tournament, if two teams are tied on points, head-to-head record is considered.

Sri Lanka had a chance as Bangladesh were off to a bad start, losing three wickets with just 40 runs on the board. Earlier Bangladesh kept their hopes alive for a place in the final by restricting Sri Lanka to a modest total.

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