DAMBULLA: Harbhajan Singh burst the penultimate brawl from Mohammad Aamer for a six as India agape Pakistan out of the Asia Cup with a three-wicket win on Saturday. Harbhajan's last-gasp attempt over the midwicket fence helped India accomplished Pakistan's 267 with one brawl to additional in a heart-stopping accomplishment at the Rangiri amphitheater in Dambulla.
India denticulate 52 runs in the aftermost bristles overs afterwards the sixth wicket had collapsed at 219, with Suresh Raina authoritative 34 off 27 assurance and Harbhajan an best 15 off 11.
The agitative achievement aerial both India and hosts Sri Lanka into the June 24 final with two wins anniversary and rendered the aftermost two alliance matches inconsequential.
Pakistan and Bangladesh, who accept yet to win a game, comedy anniversary added on Monday, while India and Sri Lanka affray on Tuesday in a dress call for the final.
Barely 2,000 Sri Lankan admirers were on duke to watch a attenuate affray amid the arch-rivals, alone their additional one-day appointment in the accomplished two years.
Opener Gautam Gambhir hit 83 off 97 assurance and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni chipped in with 57 during a third-wicket angle of 97 which aerial India to 180-2 in the 36th over.
But Gambhir's adjournment at that stage, bowled by Saeed Ajmal, triggered a middle-order collapse which saw four wickets abatement for the accession of 39 runs.
Dhoni was bowled by Shoaib Malik and Rohit Sharma was trapped leg-before by Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, afore Ajmal removed Ravindra Jadeja to accomplish it 219-6 in the 46th over.
Raina and Harbhajan again stepped in to advance a ablaze accretion and drove a adventurous Pakistan side's hopes of blockage animate in the tournament.
"I anticipate Bhajji (Harbhajan) can be alleged an all-rounder now," said an beholden Dhoni.
"The batsmen should accept accomplished off the game. In a bout like this, one can never abide air-conditioned because the baby goes up. It's abundant we concluded up on the acceptable side."
Afridi was upbeat about the aggregation beneath him admitting the accident and accepted the Indians for abduction a abutting win.
"It was a abundant bold of candid and enjoyed by all," the Pakistan captain said. "The Indians batted absolutely able-bodied and it was an amazing accomplishment that provided abundant entertainment."
"I am absolutely blessed with my team's achievement alike admitting we absent both games. I am assured we will improve."
For Pakistan, opener Salman Butt top-scored with 74 and Kamran Akmal hit 51 off 41 assurance afterwards Afridi won the bung and adopted to bat in the day-night international.
