NEW DELHI: Despite Shubman Gill's magnificent 121, India suffered a narrow six-run defeat to Bangladesh in an inconsequential 'Super 4' match of the Asia Cup at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday.
Following India's defeat, former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar took a swipe at Team India, highlighting their defeat against the team that had already been eliminated from the Asia Cup.
Akhar went on to say that Pakistan must have got some relief after watching India losing against the Bangladesh.
Pakistan have already crashed out of the continental event and the finaly will be played between India and Sri Lanka on Sunday.
"(Kuch thoda bahot sukoon aya hoga Pakistan ko) Finally, some relief for the the Pakistan fans, including me, that India have lost the game. Wake up call for India. You can't take teams lightly after winning a few games," Akhtar said in a video posted on his X handle (formerly Twitter).
1/10:Asia Cup: Bangladesh upset India for consolation win
Getty Images
2/10:Winners
<p>Bangladesh registered a six-run win over India in the Asia Cup to boost their confidence ahead of the World Cup<br /></p>AFP
3/10:Dead rubber
<p>The win in the inconsequential 'Super 4' match was Bangladesh's first over India in the Asia Cup in 12 years. India will take on Sri Lanka in the final on Oct 17<br /></p>IANS
4/10:Top scorer
<p>India faltered in their run-chase of 266 despite opener Shubman Gill's century (121)<br /></p>ANI
5/10:Valiant knock
<p>Axar Patel was the only other Indian batter to show some resistance with his 34-ball 42 lower down the order<br /></p>Getty Images
6/10:Spearhead
<p>Mustafizur Rahman led the Bangladesh bowling with 3 wickets while debutant Tanzim Hasan Sakib & Mahedi Hasan claimed two each<br /></p>Getty Images
7/10:Testing reserves
<p>India gave chances to players on the bench as they rested some key performers, including Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah<br /><br /></p>AFP
8/10:Captain's knock
<p> Earlier, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan's 80 took them to a competitive 265/8 after being put in to bat <br /></p>ANI
9/10:Wicket-takers
<p>India reduced Bangladesh to 59/4 after an inspired opening spell by Shardul Thakur (3/65); Mohammed Shami returned figures of 2/32<br /></p>AP
10/10:Key stand
<p>Shakib and Towhid Hridoy (54) then stitched a 101-run stand to revive the Bangladesh innings <br /></p>AFP"India have lost the game. Embarrassing loss. We can't criticise too much. Bangladesh are here to play. People were criticising Pakistan, saying that they got beaten up. Sri Lanka are a good team, not an average team. The same is the case with Bangladesh. They are all playing international cricket," the former pacer added.
"We are saying that Pakistan and India are favourites at World Cup. These two, along with Australia and England, will reach the semis. This is not the case. Small teams will trouble. This is anybody's game. Shubman Gill's ton went in vain. India need to wake up. No disrespect but Bangladesh made a statement that they are here to prove a point," the former pacer added.
WATCH:
Put into bat, Bangladesh overcame a top order wobble to post a competitive 265-8 with skipper Shakib Al Hasan top-scoring for his side with a breezy 80.
Gill smashed his fifth ODI hundred and Axar Patel made 42 down the order, but India were bowled out for 259.
