Insipid India A go down to Bangladesh A in Super Over of Rising Asia Cup semifinals
Bangladesh middle-order batter Towhid Hridoy is expecting the pitch to play slow in the T20 series opener against India as both teams enter unknown territory with the Shrimant Madhavrao Stadium hosting its first international match on Sunday.
Pace sensation Mayank Yadav is expected to unleash his raw speed while the absence of India's T20 regulars will provide another opportunity to the fringe players in the three-match series against Bangladesh, beginning in Gwalior Sunday.
Five players have been sanctioned for brawling in the immediate aftermath of Bangladesh's victory over India in the under-19 World Cup final in South Africa at the weekend, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Monday. Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain and Rakibul Hasan of Bangladesh and Indians Akash Singh and Ravi Bishnoi were all charged with breaches of the ICC code of conduct and handed international suspensions of between four and 10 matches.
Playing as the opener, Sanju Samson has made just 39 runs in the first two T20 Internationals against Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh bowlers have the ability to spice up things but against India's formidable lineup, they would need plenty of runs on the board.
India will face Sri Lanka in the title clash in Dubai on Friday.
COVID-hit India will be bolstered by the return of key players when the four-time champions meet holders Bangladesh in the third quarter-final of the Under-19 World Cup in Osbourn, Antigua on Saturday.
India confirmed a medal in men's cricket competition with a crushing nine-wicket win over Bangladesh to storm into the final of the Asian Games.
Sent in to bat, Bangladesh rode on half-centuries from opener Tanzid Hasan (80 off 84 balls), Shahadat Hossain (74 off 76) and Towhid Hridoy (51 off 73) to post a competitive 261 for 5 and then dismissed the hosts for 157 in 42.3 overs.
Former India captain Kapil Dev termed the unsavoury incident involving India and Bangladesh players after the ICC Under-19 World Cup final in Potchefstroom on Sunday as "horrible", saying cricket is no more a "gentleman's game". The 1983 World Cup-winning India captain urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India to take strong action against the erring cricketers to set an example.
The slain militants are believed to be members of Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh.