'I don’t know what happened': Akbar apologises after brain fade in dramatic win

Bangladesh 'A' team captain Akbar Ali was a relieved man after his brain fade moment did not lead to a heartbreaking exit for his side, who defeated India in the semifinal in a Super Over and booked their place in the final of the Asia Cup Rising Stars in Doha, Qatar on Friday.

Defending a target of 195, Bangladesh were left with only 21 runs in the tank with two overs to go.

Pacer Ripon Mondol then bowled a brilliant 19th over, where he conceded just five and also claimed the wicket of Ramadeep Singh (17 off 11), leaving 16 runs in the final over for Rakibul Islam.

The left-arm spinner conceded 12 off the first five deliveries, which included a dropped catch which went for four and the wicket of Ashutosh Rana (13 off 6).

With four needed off the final ball, he bowled it just outside off, and Harsh Dubery mistimed the slog as the ball went straight to long-on.

The throw from fielder was off the mark but by the time Akbar collected it, Harsh had only started for the second run, while Nehal Wadhera was still at the striker's end.

Rather than keeping the ball in hand to ensure India does not take more than two runs, Akbar aimed for the stumps, missed and allowed the batters to run a third run on the overthrow to level the scores.

"I should apologise to everyone supporting us. I knew the equation but I don't know what happened in my mind and I threw the ball," the skipper explained his massive gaffe at the post-match presentation.

"In the Super Over, when we were going in with the ball, I just said whatever happens, I take responsibility," he added.

Akbar's assurance perhaps did the trick as Ripon, who was declared the player-of-the-match, bowled a searing yorker to uproot Jitesh Sharma's middle-stump first ball and then got Ashutosh Sharma caught the next ball to set up a one-run target.

However, the drama did not end there. Yasir Ali, instead of pushing Suyash Sharma's first delivery to long on to complete the chase, tried to hoick it over the ropes but was brilliantly caught by Ramandeep.

Skipper Akbar then came to the crease to finish the chase, which he didn't have to, as Suyash bowled the next delivery down the leg side for a wide and Akbar breathed a sigh of relief.

Earlier, Habibur Rahman Sohan's 46-ball 65 and a brisk 18-ball 48 not out from SM Meherob powered Bangladesh 'A' to 194-6.

"Still trying to soak it in. Of course, we'll take some rest and go back to the drawing board tomorrow." Bangladesh will face the winner of Friday's second semifinal between Sri Lanka 'A' and Pakistan 'A' in the final on Sunday.