The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

India stormed into the final of the Tri-Nation Kitply Cup when they vanquished the hosts Bangladesh by seven wickets in their last league ODI match at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.

Earlier, India defeated Pakistan by 140 runs in their first ODI match on June 10 at the same venue.

Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 70 runs in the opening match on June 8 at the same venue.

India will meet Pakistan tomorrow in the final at the same venue.

Coin-favoured Bangladesh decided to bat first and scored 222 off 49.5 overs.

In reply, India romped home and dry in 35.1 overs making 223 for the loss of three wickets.

India made a solid start as the two openers, Gautam Gambhir and Virendar Sehwag put on together 85 runs in the opening stand. Gautam Gambhir remained undefeated with 107 off 101 balls. He struck 13 fours and a six.

Virendar Sewag hit a windy 50 using just 32 balls. He cracked seven boundaries and two over boundaries.

Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh added 26 runs each to India's total.

Dollar Mahmud, Farhad Reza and Abdur Razzak took one wicket each conceding 42, 45 and 48 runs respectively.

Gautam Gambhir was adjudged Man of the Match for his spectacular batting performance.

A chanceless 89 by Rakibul Hasan helped Bangladesh

to make a modest total of 222 off 49.5 overs against India's tight bowling.

Bangladesh made a sorry start as they lost their two early wickets for just 17 runs.

Later, Rakibul Hasan and skipper Mohammad Ashraful repaired the damage contributing together 76 runs in the third wicket stand before Mohammad Ashraful was caught and bowled by Yousuf Pathan when the team's total was 93 for the loss of three wickets.

Rakibul Hassan fought back against the controlled bowling of Indian bowlers before he was caught at mid on by Praveen Kumar off Rudro Pratap Singh when the board was giving a reading of 187 for the loss of six wickets. Rakibul Hassan played 117 deliveries in his inning which was studded with five strokes through the ropes.

Rudro Protap Singh was his team's most successful bowler. He grabbed three wickets giving away 46 runs.

Mohammad Ashraful knocked a polished 36 off 67 balls amid two fours.

Besides, Mahmudullah Riad, Alok Kapali, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza added 24, 20 and 13 runs to Bangladesh total.

Irfan Pathan, the medium pacer of India removed Alok Kapali and Dollar Mahmud. He harpooned Dollar for a duck. Irfan Pathan scalped two for 48 runs.

Yousuf Pathan, Praveen Kumar and Piyush Chawla took one wicket each in the space of nine, 32 and 42 runs respectively.

It may be mentioned that it was Rakibul Hassan's career best. Earlier, Rakibul made 63 against South Africa in March 2008.