An opportunity lost

India beat Bangladesh to retain Asia Cup in last-ball thriller

India retained the Asia Cup with a three-wicket win off the last ball against a fighting Bangladesh who were anchored by a maiden hundred from opener Liton Das in Dubai early today, reports AFP. India made heavy weather of a modest 223-run target as Bangladesh fought for every run before the title holders achieved victory off the last ball watched by a capacity 25,000 holiday crowd at Dubai stadium.

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortza praised his team's fight.

"We played with our hearts," said Mortaza. "We played till the last ball, but we made mistakes with both bat and ball. Liton played a brilliant knock but we were 20-30 runs short."

India won the Asia Cup -- under a Twenty20 format -- in Bangladesh in 2016.

Friday's result meant Bangladesh lost in a second Asia Cup final after coming up just short by two runs in the 2012 final against Pakistan at home.

Earlier Bangladesh lost all their wickets for 102 runs in a major middle order collapse after a brisk opening stand of 120.

Hasan was promoted to open the innings and he and Das attacked India's pace-cum spin attack.

But once Hasan was caught off Jadhav in the 21st over the innings collapsed with Bangladesh losing four more wickets by the time the score reached 151.

Hasan hit three boundaries in his 59-ball 32 while Soumya Sarkar made a 45-ball 33 with a boundary and a six.

Former captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored

144 and 99 earlier in the tournament, also hold

out off Jadhav who finished with 2-41. Rahim made

just five.

Bangladesh's cause was not helped by three run-outs while left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav returned with the best figures of 3-45.