India face tough Bangladesh in final

Before play even started, there was another encouraging sight as key all-rounder Ben Stokes – who would later make 27 at number five – demonstrated his stiff back is improving by bowling gently on the outfield.

Moeen Ali got through 21 overs in the middle on day one here, and appears unconcerned by a return of the discomfort on his spinning finger which troubled him during this winter’s Ashes and has become an occupational hazard over the years. “It always seems to crack at some stage,” he told Sky Sports. “But it’s not really happened for a while until Australia ... it’s not too bad.”

Moeen has also felt pain in his shoulder, not when bowling but throwing in from the deep.

“It’s more my shoulder has been a little bit sore,” he said, adding he does not expect his finger to stop him bowling in next week’s first Test in Auckland – where the pink ball, for the day-night match, has a less pronounced seam.

“I think I’ll get through this series, and I’ll be fine – because the first one is pink ball, and I’m pretty sure it’s not going to get any worse.

“I think it’s just the red Kookaburra ball – the seam seems to be a lot sharper.”

England’s collective improvement with bat and ball in Hamilton this week has been evident, and Moeen added: “As a team, I think on the first two days we were a little bit behind... just getting overs in the legs and in the field.

“A couple of guys hadn’t played for a while, so it was just getting back into it.

“Then I think the main message was to get the intensity up over the last two days.”

Meanwhile, Only uncapped Liam Livingstone could be satisfied with his performance as England batted poorly on the final day of their pink-ball warm-up match in Hamilton. Joe Root’s men collectively squandered an opportunity for relevant preparation before next week’s first Test, losing their first 10 wickets for 195 runs in 46 overs in reply to a New Zealand XI’s 376 for 10 the previous day.

Livingstone stood alone as the success story of an imperfect day, reaching 74 at the cut-off point when England lost their 10th wicket, and eventually 88 from 112 balls as several batsmen joined him for their second attempt in an exercise of glorified middle practice which resulted in a stumps ‘total’ of 319 for 14.

There were seven catches behind the wicket or in the slips in the first 10 England lost.

Only Mark Stoneman, edging a good one from Seth Rance to go for a single in the third over, nd Root could claim to have been got out.

All others played a significant part in their own dismissals, as did Stoneman second time round when he promptly mispulled to mid-on - taking his daily average to 1.5 with three runs off 20 balls, statistics symptomatic of England’s often self-inflicted struggles.

Batting coach Graham Thorpe conceded that the majority were disappointed with their performance as only Livingstone, with his 13 fours and a six from 113 balls, and Root - who mustered an unbeaten 50 at his second attempt - could feel remotely satisfied.

“The first two sessions were indifferent for us, but it was about getting the guys up to speed and making them aware they’ve got a Test next week,” he said. “It’s the challenge of a short Test tour. A few of them will be disappointed they didn’t spend longer at the crease, but Liam Livingstone played very well.” THE INDEPENDENT COLOMBO: Fresh from a thrilling win in their last league game against hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh will have their tails up as they prepare to take on a confident India in the final of the Nidahas Trophy T20 tri-series at the R. Premadasa Stadium here on Sunday.

In what was a virtual semifinal against the Islanders on Friday, Bangladesh pulled off a brilliant two-wicket win from the jaws of defeat in the final over, which was marred by ugly scenes following the on-field umpires’ failure to call the second delivery of the over a no-ball for height.

Bangladesh’s intent shows that they are eager to win this tournament and have not come here to make up the numbers which India will be well aware of, considering their consistent rise in the shortest format of the game.

Going into Sunday’s final, India with a second-string team minus regular captain Virat Kohli and veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni, will hope their skipper Rohit Sharma will lead from the front and replicate his form in their previous encounter against the same opposition on Wednesday.

Rohit struck a brilliant 61-ball 89, his 13th T20 half century and was well supported by veteran left-hander Suresh Raina (47) as India edged past the Bangladeshis by 17 runs to seal their spot in the final.

Rohit’s opening partner Shikhar Dhawan has also been amongst the runs during the tournament even as the men-in-blue would hope for some fireworks from the likes of Lokesh Rahul and the middle order comprising Dinesh Karthik and Manish Pandey.

Among the bowlers, teenaged off-spinner Washington Sundar has been the find of the tournament with his exploits in the powerplay overs, while leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has supported him well.

If India are to restrict the Bangladeshis, the rookie pace department, comprising Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur and all-rounder Vijay Shankar will need to complement the spin duo.

On the other hand, bolstered by the return of regular skipper Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh will definitely go all out in the summit clash.

Their top order comprising Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah have been amongst the runs while Liton Das seems the only weak link at the top.

The Bangladeshis will also be wary of Washington Sundar, who ripped through the top order in the previous tie.

Bangladesh’s bowling department led by Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain have troubled the Indians more often than not and will aim to replicate that in the final. Left-spinner Shakib’s inclusion has only added more spice to the contest.

Squads: India: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), Lokesh Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik (wicket- keeper), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Vijay Shankar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammad Siraj and Rishabh Pant.

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan ( Captain) , Mahmudullah, Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicket-keeper), Sabbir Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Hider, Abu Jayed, Ariful Haque, Nazmul Islam, Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan, Liton Das.