India have secured their place in the final of Asia Cup 2018 with the 9-wicket victory over Pakistan in their second match of the Super Four stage. India had earlier defeated Bangladesh in their first Super 4 match. They are the only unbeaten team in the tournament so far. They now have four points after their two Super 4 matches and are virtually assured of a place in the Asia Cup 2018 final. India play Afghanistan in their final Super 4 match. Afghanistan have lost both their Super 4 matches so far and are out of contention for the final. However, Bangladesh and Pakistan are both in the hunt for the final berth. They face each other in their final Super 4 match. Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have lost to India and defeated Afghanistan in this stage, which means that their Super 4 match will be a virtual semifinal and the winner will face India in the final on Friday. Teams Matches Win Loss Points NRR India 2 2 0 4 +1.333 Pakistan 2 1 1 2 -0.556 Bangladesh 2 1 1 2 -0.645 Afghanistan 2 0 2 0 -0.065 India face Afghanistan on Tuesday while Bangladesh and Pakistan face off on Wednesday in the remaining Super Four matches in the Asia Cup 2018.<doc-sep>After a slightly nervy start against Hong Kong, the Indian team has made light work of the opponents in subsequent matches. With the win against Pakistan in their second Super 4 encounter, Rohit Sharma’s boys have now sealed their birth in the finals and hence, a number of changes are expected in their final Super 4 clash against Afghanistan. Here’s a look at our predicted XI for India’s Asia Cup 2018 match against Afghanistan - Rohit Sharma The Indian skpper is having a stunning tournament, both as a captain and as a batsman. He is the in-form batsman for India and with the century against Pakistan, he has vindicated the tag of being the best opener in world cricket currently. He should lead the side against Afghanistan. KL Rahul For all the talent and promise KL Rahul has to offer, he has not got a game owing to the dearth of spots in this Indian team. However, with the final berth sealed, the team management could rest Shikhar Dhawan and give Rahul a go against Afghanistan. READ: Rohit Sharma reveals why Shikhar Dhawan must be left alone while batting Ambati Rayudu Rayudu has not set the stage on fire, but has done just enough to warrant a long rope in the side. However, he would be aware of the fact that he now needs to crank it up a touch and aim for triple-digit scores if there is an opportunity. Dinesh Karthik Much like Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik has had nothing much to do in the tournament so far, such has been the prolific run of the opening pair. However, if and when he gets a chance, Karthik should be ready to step up and score runs as there are plenty of options for the number four position. MS Dhoni He looked the part against Bangladesh, when he walked out to bat at the number four position but has not got enough time in the middle to show his form. However, there is little doubt over his importance to this team, as a keeper, as a batsman, and as a presence in general. Kedar Jadhav The biggest positive for India in this tournament has been the form of Kedar Jadhav, the bowler. He was expensive in the match against Pakistan and hence, how he adapts and adjusts against Afghanistan will be closely monitored. He is viewed as a finisher in this Indian team but has not got many opportunities to underline his importance so far. Ravindra Jadeja Jadeja made a resounding comeback to the Indian ODI setup by picking up four wickets against Bangladesh. However, he was under the cosh against Pakistan as Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed attacked him. He should still be persisted with and the onus will be on him to adjust to the ever-changing challenges ahead. READ: Records galore as Rohit betters Tendulkar’s record, only Dhoni ahead Siddarth Kaul He was roped in as an injury cover and could get in a game in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has been brilliant with the new and old ball. However, the itinerary and the weather has been taxing and this could prompt the management to rest him ahead of the final. Kaul, who made his ODI debut against England, did have a great IPL and on sluggish surfaces, he should do well. Kuldeep Yadav India’s X-factor with the ball, Kuldeep has been the wicket-taker for Rohit Sharma in the middle overs and in the death when the batsmen are on the charge. He should pose trouble for Afghanistan, a team which has plenty of stroke-makers. Yuzvendra Chahal Along with Yadav, Chahal has been the go to guy in the middle overs for the India captains in the recent past. Chahal picked up his 50th wicket in ODIs against Pakistan in the last match and his spin and wizardry should present a considerable challenge for the Afghan batsman. Khaleel Ahmed After impressing in his debut match against Hong Kong, Khaleel has been forced to sit out owing to the presence of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. However, Bumrah could be rested and this could give Khaleel another chance to prove his mettle.<doc-sep>
Last updated on .From the section Cricket Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan now have 13 100-run opening wicket ODI partnerships for India, one more than Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag Asia Cup Super Four, Dubai Pakistan 237-7 (50 overs): Malik 78, Sarfraz 44, Kuldeep 2-41, Bumrah 2-29 India 238-1 (39.3 overs): Dhawan 114, Rohit 111 India won by nine wickets Scorecard Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan shared an opening partnership of 210 as India thrashed Pakistan for the second time at the Asia Cup in Dubai. The victory, coupled with Bangladesh's win over Afghanistan, means India have booked their place in Friday's final. India restricted Pakistan to 237-7 before chasing down the target in 39.3 overs, for the loss of just one wicket. Dhawan hit 114 from 100 balls before he was run out, with Rohit finishing on 111 not out from 119 deliveries. The pair had also top scored as India beat their bitter rivals by eight wickets in the group stage of the tournament, which is being played in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Rohit's knock was his 19th one-day hundred, while his partnership with Dhawan was India's highest one-day international opening stand against Pakistan - and their fourth highest first-wicket stand against anyone in the ODI format. The win is India's biggest against Pakistan in terms of wickets in ODIs, improving on the eight-wicket win over Pakistan in Melbourne in 1985. Pakistan's innings was anchored by Shoaib Malik who made 78 from 90 balls, adding 107 for the fourth wicket with skipper Sarfraz Ahmed (44) who had won the toss. In the other Super Four game in Abu Dhabi, Bangladesh ended Afghanistan's chances of reaching the final in a final-over thriller. Chasing 249 to win, and needing eight off the final over with four wickets in hand, Rashid Khan was caught and bowled by Mustafizur Rahman off the second ball of the over and Afghanistan fell short by three runs. What's next? Pakistan take on Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, in what is effectively a semi-final - with the winner earning a place in the final against India. Pakistan currently lead the Tigers on net run rate. Before that, India face Afghanistan in Dubai in their final Super Four game on Tuesday.