India warm-up well ahead of final
Sports Reporter
India warmed-up well ahead of the Asia Cup final by securing a nine-wicket win over United Arab Emirates in the dead rubber yesterday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The bowlers paved the platform of the effortless victory, restricting UAE to 81 for nine before India reached the winning total of 82 for one in just 10.1 overs to seal its fourth straight victory in the tournament Before the start of the game, the players, officials and the others present at the stadium observed a minute silence in remembrance of New Zealand great Martin Crowe who passed away yesterday. Opener Rohit Sharma struck a 28 ball-39, hitting seven fours and one six to give the side a fluent start. Yuvraj Singh, unbeaten on 24, confirmed the sides victory with a boundary. Earlier, only two batsmen of the ICC associate nation could reach double digit figure after the captain Amjad Javed elected to bat first. Shaiman Anwar made the highest 43 off 48 with three fours and a six while opener Rohan Mustafa contributed 11. India made three changes to the team with Buvneshwar Kumar, Harbhajan Singh and Pawan Negi replacing Ashish Nehra, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Negi made his debut with match. Fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar led the bowling with the figures of two for eight. He was backed up by Jasprit Bumrah, pacer Hardik Pandya and spin trio Pawan Negi, Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh who all picked up one wicket apiece.
