Gambhir's ton gears India to Tri-series final

After an emphatic win over archrival Pakistan in the first game of the triangular one-day series, India scored their second successive victory over Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. Man of the match Gautam Gambhir’s unbeaten century put India on the front seat of the final.

Chasing a target of 223, both the openers Gambhir (107) and Virender Sehwag (59) led India to a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in the third match of the Kitply Cup. Gambhir’s firing knock of 107 came in just 107 in just 101 balls with the help of 13 boundaries and 1 six. Sehwag too rolling his good form scored 59 (7* 4s, 2* 6s) off just 32 balls.

Earlier electing to bat first, Bangladesh only managed to put a total of 222 in 49.5 over with a couple of sound batting display by Raquibul Hassan (89) and skipper Mohammad Ashraful (36). After a miserable start losing two wickets in just 17 runs on the board, it was a Herculean task for Ashraful and Hassan to tick the scoreboard against a discipline bowling performance by India.

Raquibul Hassan was the highlight of Bangladesh innings with his 117-ball innings of 89. He brought up his fifty off 78 balls.

As far as India’s bowling is concerned Praveen Kumar started off well conceding only 8 runs in his first seven overs though he only managed to get one wicket. RP Singh and Irfan Pathan obtained 3 and 2 wicket respectively.

With a blazing start India achieved the target in 35.1 over losing only three wickets of Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma (26 off 43 balls) and Yuvraj Singh (26 off 33).

Dhoni led Indian team now will meet Pakistan in Saturday final before going to the upcoming Asia Cup scheduled to be staged in Pakistan from June 24.