Dubai: It was a ‘dead’ rubber as the Asia Cup finalists had already been identified.
But by no means did red-hot Team India take the last game of the Super 4, against Sri Lanka, lightly.
In fact, Friday’s clash turned out to be an ideal warm-up for the men in blue ahead of the grand finale on Sunday against Pakistan.
Asked to bat first after Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka won the toss, India rattled up a big total of 202/5 in 20 overs.
Swashbuckling opener Abhishek Sharma led the charge yet again, smashing 61 off 31 balls (8×4, 2×6). It was the left-hander’s third successive half-century, following scores of 74 vs Pakistan and 75 vs Bangladesh.
Tilak Varma played a fine hand, remaining unbeaten on 49 (34 balls, 4×4, 1×6), and Sanju Samson made a breezy 39 off 23 deliveries (1×4, 3×6).
India is the only unbeaten team in the tournament, having won all 6 games so far.
Pakistan qualified for the title clash on Thursday night, beating Bangladesh by 11 runs in a virtual ‘semifinal’.
India dominated both their previous games against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025, winning the group league clash by 7 wickets on September 14 and the Super 4 encounter by 6 wickets on September 21.
