Gambhir leads India into final

DHAKA: Gautam Gambhir hit a superb 71 to lead India to a four-wicket win over Bangladesh in a triangular one-day series cricket match yesterday.

India stormed into the final of the series also involving South Africa with the victory and consigned Bangladesh to their 35th successive One-Day International without a win. The left-hander, who won the “Man-of-the-Match” award, faced 89 balls and hit nine fours as India cruised to their target of 208 with more than seven overs to spare. Gambhir, playing just his third ODI, completed his half century in 58 balls and shared a 69-run partnership with stand-in captain Virender Sehwag, who scored 43 in 44 balls before he was caught in the deep by Tareq Aziz.

Gambhir and wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel then combined for a 48-run partnership before Patel was trapped leg before wicket by Alok Kapali leaving India comfortably placed at 117 for two after 25 overs. The Indians then suffered some jitters and slipped to 178 for five in the 38th over after Mohammad Kaif was run out for 20, Sanjay Bangar was leg before wicket to Mohammad Rafique and Gambhir was caught behind by wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud off Kapali. Debutant Abhijit Kale (10) and Dinesh Mongia (16 not out) then saw India to within sight of their target before Kale was caught by Bangladesh captain Khaled Mahmud in the covers off Mohammad Ashraful with the score on 204.

Ajit Agarkar then ended the match with a four through cover. Rafique and Kapali finished with two wickets each. Earlier, Habibul Bashar scored his seventh One-Day International half century to help Bangladesh reach 207 all out in 49.4 overs. Bashar was ably supported by former Bangladesh skipper Akram Khan, who added 35. Despite India not fielding two of their regular bowlers, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh, Bangladesh struggled to get any partnerships going. Agarkar was the pick of the Indian bowlers with three for 36, while Sarandeep Singh grabbed two for 34. Bangladesh were aided by some sloppy fielding from the Indians. Mongia dropped opener Mehrab Hossain twice, but Hossain failed to make the most of the let-offs and he was caught by Bangar for 30. Bashar, who faced another 24 balls after reaching his 50 but failed to add another run, was caught by Kaif at extra cover off Agarkar.