Bangladesh secured a thrilling super over victory against India to reach the Asia Cup Rising Stars final. Powered by Habibur Rahman’s half-century and a cameo from Mehrab Hossain, Bangladesh set India a target of 195 in the semi-final. India finished on 194 in their 20 overs, tying the match and sending the contest to a super over.
In the super over, India were bowled out in just two balls, with Ripon Mondal taking both wickets. When Bangladesh came out to chase a single run, Yasir Ali Rabbi attempted a big shot off Suyash Sharma but was caught at deep mid-on by Ramanandep Singh. Captain Akbar Ali then took the crease, and a wide delivery from Suyash Sharma sealed Bangladesh’s victory, sending them through to the final.
India had pushed hard in the closing stages of the main match. In the last three overs, they required 39 runs with four wickets in hand. Abdul Gaffar conceded 10 runs in the 18th over, and Ripon Mondal bowled the 19th over with India needing 21 from 12 balls. On the second delivery, captain Akbar Ali dropped a catch from Nehal Wadhera, but on the very next ball, Ripon dismissed Ramanandep for 17, caught brilliantly at deep by Jisan Alam. India managed only five runs from that over.
In the final over, India needed 16 runs. Rakibul Hasan conceded 15, leaving the match tied. On the last ball, Harsh Dubey attempted a boundary but could only take a single. Bangladesh conceded two extra runs in the over for a over-throw, resulting in a tie.
India’s openers contributed 53 runs. Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored 38 from 15 balls, while Priyansh Aria made 44 from 23. Naman Dheer struggled, scoring 7 from 12, and captain Jitesh Sharma added 33 from 23. Nehal Wadhera and Ramanandep Singh put on 26 runs for the fifth wicket, helping India level the match alongside contributions from Wadhera and Dubey.
Batting first, Akbar Ali’s side posted 194 for 6. Openers Sohan and Jisan Alam provided a flying start, scoring 43 runs in 4.2 overs. Jisan fell for 26 from 14 balls, and Bangladesh lost a few quick wickets, but Sohan held one end, scoring 65 from 46 balls.
Middle-order batsmen Jawad Abrar, Akbar Ali, and Abu Haider Roni could not make significant contributions, while Mahidul Islam Ankon also struggled. A seventh-wicket partnership between Mehrab and Yasir added 64 crucial runs, helping Bangladesh reach a strong total. Mehrab remained unbeaten on 4 from 18 balls, and Yasir Ali scored 17 from 9 balls.
For India, Gurjapnit Singh took two wickets, while Harsh Dubey, Suyash Sharma, Ramanandep Singh, and Naman Dheer claimed one each.
