DHAKA — India enjoyed a romp before the Asia Cup final in accounting for the United Arab Emirates by nine wickets Thursday.
The bowlers paved the way to the easy victory, restricting UAE to 81-9 in 20 overs.
India took 10.1 overs to win with 82-1, and seal its fourth straight victory in the tournament. The Indians meet host Bangladesh in the final Sunday.
Opener Rohit Sharma hit 39 while Yuvraj Singh was 25 not out and hit the winning boundary.
"The wickets here have been challenging, not the easiest," said man of the match Rohit. "I am glad we have put up a performance like that.
"Initially, you have to see the conditions. Once you get a hang of it, you can probably play your shots," he added.
Fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar led the way for India with 2-8.
Shaiman Anwar scored 43 after UAE captain Amjad Javed elected to bat first. Opener Rohan Mustafa, on 11, was the only other batsman to reach double digits.
Kumar was backed by Jasprit Bumrah, pacer Hardik Pandya and spin trio Pawan Negi, Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh, who all picked up one wicket.
Kumar delivered two straight maiden overs and reaped rewards for creating pressure which resulted in the wicket of opener Swapnil Patil for a duck.
Bumrah claimed Mohammad Shahzad for a duck, too, and UAE was 2-2.
India bowlers then made regular breakthrough amid the resistance of Anwar, who hit three fours and one six in his 48-ball knock.
Sharma took care of the chase by his aggressive batting. He smashed seven fours and a six in 28 balls, and was the only wicket to fall, taken by Qadeer Ahmed.
Out-of-form opener Shikhar Dhawan struggled again, while Yuvraj Singh, promoted to No. 3 ahead of Virat Kohli, continued to batter the bowlers. He hit one six and four fours, the last of which confirmed India's victory with 59 balls to spare.
UAE captain Amjad Javed said they were looking for a total of around 120 runs.
"We were playing the favorites of the tournament and it was difficult for us," he said.
"When you face top quality bowlers, it is difficult. They have got experience and they will come back hard."
The league phase of the tournament will end with Pakistan facing Sri Lanka Friday.
Before the game, all in attendance observed a minute of silence in honor of New Zealand great Martin Crowe, who died of cancer earlier in the day. Crowe's older brother, Jeff Crowe, was the match referee.
Scores:
UAE 81-9 (Shaiman Anwar 43; Kumar 2-8, Bumrah 1-23, Pandya 1-11, Harbhajan 1-11, Negi 1-16, Yuvraj 1-10).
India 82-1 in 10.1 overs (R. Sharma 39, S. Dhawan 16 not out Y. Singh 25 not out; Qadeer 1-23).
Shakib reprimanded
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan received an official reprimand for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during his side's Asia Cup match against Pakistan in Mirpur Wednesday.
The incident happened in the 18th over of Bangladesh's innings when Shakib, after being dismissed, hit the stumps with his bat in frustration. He then immediately apologized to the umpires.
The offense is leveled as Level 1 breaches that relates to "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match."
Shakib admitted to the offense and accepted the sanction proposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. As such, there was no need for a formal hearing.
The charge was leveled by on-field umpires Anil Chaudhary and Ruchira Palliyaguruge, third umpire Enamul Haque and fourth official Shozab Raza.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player's match fee. — Agencies
