(MENAFN- Kora) A quickfire 34 from just 18 balls from Shahid Afridi ensured holders Pakistan secured a one-wicket win over India in Mirpur on Sunday and the destructive all-rounder followed that up with a man-of-the-match performance against Bangladesh on Tuesday to set up a final against Sri Lanka
The big-hitting Afridi smashed two sixes in consecutive balls in the last over of the game from Ravichandran Ashwin against India and he was at it again at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday, scoring 59 from only 25 balls in a three-wicket win over Bangladesh
India will still be licking their wounds after the defeat against their big rivals Pakistan in a tense finale as they attempt to finish the round-robin tournament with a win against a nation they have never faced before in the 50-over format of the game
Rayudu believes a hectic international schedule played a part in the defeat to Pakistan and the middle-order batsman, who made 58 as India posted 245-8 in their 50 overs at the weekend, is determined to learn the lessons from the tournament
He said: "We have been travelling from South Africa to New Zealand and then here. We landed and played a game just two days after travelling from New Zealand
"The players are going through mental fatigue as well,
He added: "We have been learning a lot as you have seen, the games have been extremely close. We are putting heart into it and that is all we can do as cricketers.
Afghanistan have impressed in their first appearance in the tournament and secured a victory over Bangladesh in Fatullah on Saturday - their first win against a Test-playing nation
And although India will be expected to come out on top, Rayudu will not be taking the minnows lightly
He said: "They are a very good bowling side as we have seen in the competition. We need to keep our head down and make sure we get runs.
India are expected to keep faith with the same side that lost to Pakistan, while paceman Hamid Hassan could return for Afghanistan at the expense of Dawlat Zadran and coach Kabir Khan hinted that Rahmat Shah may come into the sid
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.