DUBAI: With their powerful batting and fast improving bowling, India are Asia's best hope at the World Cup which takes place in England next year.

Even without batting star and regular captain Virat Kohli, India powered their way to the Asia Cup title in Dubai, outlasting Bangladesh by three wickets off the last ball in the final.

"India proved to be well ahead of everyone," former Pakistan skipper Wasim told AFP.

"Their exposure is greater, they have financial benefits and the money invested in their system like the Indian Premier League is bearing fruits."

He added: "It's hard to predict eight months in advance but I am sure Pakistan will bounce back. They have some serious work to do in both bowling and batting. Bangladesh have an inspirational captain in Mashrafe Mortaza and Afghanistan is becoming a dangerous team."

Indian team celebrates after winning the Asia Cup in Dubai. (AFP Photo)

Bangladesh, led by Mortaza, fought hard to beat higher-ranked Pakistan and Sri Lanka, who both require some serious work ahead of the World Cup starting from May 30.

Fast-rising Afghanistan, who had to qualify for the World Cup, proved they will be a thorn for many teams with their wicket-taking spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman and a never-say-die spirit.

Champions Trophy holders Pakistan had promised more at the Asia Cup but failed to deliver, unable to put up a fighting total as 162 and 237-7 could not challenge a powerful Indian batting line-up.

Head coach Mickey Arthur termed it a "confidence crisis."

"It's a confidence thing," said Arthur after two defeats against India. "These guys work every day on their catching, but the minute one goes down, it's kind of like a disease.

"We've got to trust the skills to come out in the end. We've banked the work. It's time for that to pay off."

While Rohit Sharma will continue to challenge Kohli as stand-in captain, Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews was not only forced to step down but was also dropped from the squad for the forthcoming England one-day series.

Pakistan have since dropped pace spearhead Mohammad Amir who went wicketless in three Asia Cup matches.

He has yet to play a 50-over World Cup -- missing the 2011 and 2015 events due to a five-year ban for spot fixing on Pakistan's tour of England in 2010.

Afghanistan shocked Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the first round at the Asia Cup.

Every time Afghanistan bat first and score 250-plus they will cause problems for the rivals through Rashid who on Sunday became the number one allrounder in one-day cricket besides being number two bowler in that format.

Afghanistan's best came against a depleted India -- resting Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal -- as they tied the game in the last over.

Only a three-run defeat off the last ball against Bagladesh deprived Afghanistan from a place in the final.

"We have sounded a warning for the World Cup teams," said Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan. "We need to work in a few areas so we have time to do that before the World Cup."

DUBAI: Opener Rohit Sharma, who led his team to Asia Cup title in the absence of top-ranked Virat Kohli, on Sunday climbed two places up to a career-best second position to make it a 1-2 for India in the ICC ODI batting rankings.

READ ALSO: Rohit Sharma's captaincy helps India take assured steps towards 2019 World Cup

This is for the second time that Sharma is in second position, having first reached number two in July this year. He aggregated 317 runs in the tournament, which India won by beating Bangladesh in the final by three wickets.

Shikhar Dhawan, who was highest run-getter with 342 runs, gained four slots to reach fifth position.

The pair was rested in India's last Super Four match which ended in a tie against Afghanistan but still led the run aggregate, thanks largely to a 210-run partnership in the Super Four match against Pakistan in which Sharma slammed an unbeaten 111 and Dhawan scored 114.

Another India player to gain in the rankings table is spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who has advanced three places to take a career-best third position after finishing as the joint-highest wicket taker along with Bangladesh's fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman and Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, all of who finished with 10 wickets each.

Rashid has displaced former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan from the top of the all-rounders' list. He has become the first from his country and 32nd overall to reach top position in the list with a jump of six places.

Rashid's success with the ball saw him cross the 800-point mark during the tournament, which saw in action five of the 10 teams to fight it out in next year's ICC Cricket World Cup, and he also chipped in with 87 runs to reach a career-best 97th position among batsmen.

Afghanistan opener Mohammad Shahzad has gained 19 slots to reach 36th position, his highest in two years, while spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman has gained 15 slots to reach eighth position.

For Bangladesh, wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has attained a career-best 16th position, while Liton Das has advanced 107 positions to reach 116th rank after his fine century in the final. Mustafizur has moved up four places to take 12th position among bowlers.

Pakistan left-hander Imam-ul-Haq has gained 15 places to reach a career-best 27th position while Shoaib Malik has gained 12 slots to reach 42nd position. Junaid Khan has gained seven slots to reach 30th position among bowlers.

For Sri Lanka, Upul Tharanga has gained two positions to reach 41st rank while Hong Kong captain Anshuman Rath's knock of 73 against India has led him to 55th position with 532 points, the highest ever points tally for a Hong Kong batsman.

Rath's opening partner Nizakat Khan has gained 28 slots to reach a career-best 78th rank.

In the ICC ODI Team rankings, there is no change in positions in the list led by England, who are followed by India, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

However, India have gained one point and Afghanistan five. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have lost three points each.

NEW DELHI: Shikhar Dhawan was on Saturday dropped for the two-match Test series against West Indies after his horror run in England while Mayank Agarwal and Mohammed Siraj's domestic exploits were rewarded with maiden India call-up.

The selectors decided to rest the duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, taking into account their "workload" in recent months, effectively thrusting upon Mohammed Shami the responsibility to lead the pace attack.

Dhawan had a forgettable outing during the Test series against England with just 162 runs in 8 innings. Mayank, on the other hand, was the top scorer in the last Ranji Trophy season with 1160 runs in 8 matches.

Mumbai's Prithvi Shaw has retained his place in the side after failing to make the playing XI in the last two Tests in England.

Considering that Dhawan has been shown the door, young Shaw could finally get his chance to open the batting with KL Rahul, who seemed to have saved his place with a fine knock in the final Test against England.

Mayank, who is also enjoying a good run of form, is another option for one of the opening slots. Both Mayank and Shaw had a good outing for India A in England earlier this summer.

"Taking stock of the recent workload, the selectors have decided to rest Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Both Ishant Sharma and Hardik Pandya were not considered for selection, as they are yet to recover from their injuries," BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary said in a statement.

With this being the final assignment before the team embarks on the tour of Australia, Dhawan's chances for an imminent Test recall looks bleak. His Man of the Series winning effort in Asia Cup ODI tournament was not enough to save his place in the traditional format.

Karun Nair, who was not played in a single Test against England, also got the axe in a surprising move.

Hanuma Vihari, who made a battling half century on his debut at the Oval in the final Test, was preferred over Nair.

The other new face, pacer Siraj was picked after he performed for India A in the recently-concluded quadrangular series featuring Australia A and South Africa A. His exploits included brilliant figures of 8/59 in one of the games.

Murali Vijay, who has been in impressive form in county cricket for Essex after being dropped following a disastrous run in the first three Tests in England, failed to convince the selectors for a recall.

Pandya had to be stretchered off the field after suffering an acute lower back injury in India's game against Pakistan at the Asia Cup.

The spin responsibility will be shouldered by seasoned duo of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and aided by Kuldeep Yadav.

The first Test will be played at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot from October 4 to 8, followed by the second match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad from October 12 to 16.

The five-match ODI series will begin on October 21 at Guwahati, followed by the second ODI on October 24th at Indore and third ODI at Pune on October 27th. The final two one-dayers will be held at Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram on October 29th and November 1, respectively.

The one-dayers will be followed by the three T20 Internationals to be held at Kolkata (November 4), Lucknow (November 6) and Chennai (November 11).

Squad: Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur

DUBAI: His record as stand-in captain has been quite impressive and Rohit Sharma made it clear that whenever the opportunity comes along, he would be "ready" for full-time captaincy.

READ ALSO: India beat Bangladesh to win seventh Asia Cup title

Under Rohit, India have won two close multi-nation tournaments -- the T20 tri-nation in Sri Lanka and now the Asia Cup 50-over tournament.

A three-time IPL winning captain of Mumbai Indians, Rohit was asked if he is ready for a long-term leadership role in future.

"Definitely. We have just won so I will surely be ready (for captaincy). Whenever the opportunity comes, I will be ready," a smiling Rohit told reporters after India' Asia Cup triumph.

There are challenges of a stand-in captain, Rohit admitted, adding that the main objective is to allow players to play freely without thinking about their places in the team.

"It's a challenge for any team when few of your senior players are rested. Obviously they will make a comeback and few of the guys have to miss out. Every team is doing that and also guys understand that.

"It's up to them whenever they get an opportunity they make it big and make it count but for us -- myself as a captain and our coach, we have to make sure that they have the liberty to go out and play their game without feeling any pressure," said Rohit.

READ ALSO: Rohit's calming influence reflected in his captaincy, says Shastri

"I understand the dynamics of this team, how we play our cricket and how we want to go forward as a team. I think in this tournament we have ticked all the boxes," Rohit looked satisfied after accomplishing his task.

Rohit made it clear that his philosophy of leadership is to help players shed insecurities while playing for the country. He in fact assured the likes of Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik that they will be playing all games.

"When we came here, I wanted to give them the assurance that they will be playing all games. That's how you make players. If you know after two games you are going to get dropped, it's not easy for any player.

"I wanted to give everybody a fair run and play more games. That's how you understand a player's capabilities. One odd game, you can't judge a player," said Rohit.

He agreed that the the fourth and the sixth spots in the batting order are still not settled and the picture would be clearer closer to the World Cup.

"Numbers four and six need to get more games as the World Cup comes closer. Right now is not the time. Come the World Cup, we will get a clearer picture. The next few tournaments, that will be ideal for us to judge as management where they stand as players.

Rohit was more happy with the fact that a young team achieved so much.

"It was very young team that we brought here. Not many boys had the experience of playing in these conditions. It was hot. It wasn't easy for the boys to adapt because they had come from England. It was very important to get used to the conditions.

"But I think overall, our preparation for this tournament was good. Seven-eight guys came here early while the other boys from England landed here a day before the tournament," said the skipper.

Fitness was an issue in gruelling conditions, admitted Rohit.

"The message was to focus on the fitness because we haven't played in conditions like this before. I think this was a big challenge for us. The conditions here were quite slow and there was help for the slow bowlers.

The skipper also praised his spinners for their consistent show.

"Even today, if you see, the way Bangladesh started in the first 10-15 overs and after that the way our spinners brought us back in the game. Our spinners' performance in the last six-eight months has been consistent. It's been a positive sign."

SCORECARD | LIVE BLOG: India vs Bangladesh

INDIA INNINGS (Target: 223)

End of Over 30: India need 88 runs more to win in 20 overs with seven wickets standing. Sounds pretty one-sided, but two quick wickets and it can all change. 135/3

End of Over 28: Dhoni (27*) and Karthik (33*) have added 46 runs now to bring India's chase back on track. Should they manage to stay together for the next 10 overs, it should become easy for India. 129/3

End of Over 25: Mehidy Hasan returns to the attack and Dhoni (17*) dances down the track to smack it past the bowler for a boundary. 112/3

23.1 Overs: Dhoni muscles a half-volley through the covers for his first boundary, which raises India's hundred.

End of Over 21: Karthik (25*) releases the pressure as he makes the most of a rank long-hop from Nazmul Islam. Deposits it for a HUGE SIX over mid-wicket. 97/3

End of Over 20: Dhoni (3* off 10 balls) is taking his time to get his eye in, and Bangladesh mixing it well with an odd short ball to keep him guessing. 90/3



End of Over 18: MS Dhoni has joined Karthik (17*) in the middle as India wobble with the loss of Rohit's wicket. 85/3

16.4 Overs: BIG WICKET! Rubel gets his man - Rohit Sharma (48) pulls it straight to Nazmul Islam. India 83/3

End of Over 15: SIX! Rubel tries to bounce out Rohit (47*), but the India captain hooks the medium-pacer for a maximum over backward square leg. Huge mix-up, yes-no between the two Indian batsmen, but safe in the end as Liton Das throws at the wrong end. 79/2

End of Over 14: India 73/2. Karthik on 13*, Rohit 41*.

End of Over 12: Bangladesh bowlers have done well, which shows in the 4.3 overs Rohit (38*) and Karthik (7*) have taken to add 17 runs since India lost Dhawan. 63/2

End of Over 10: Karthik didn't look comfortable in that Mortaza over. The first Powerplay ends on an even note. India scored 57 runs, Bangladesh bowlers came back from a poor start to take two wickets.

8.3 overs: India's fifty comes up but the two wickets they have lost will make them think twice before continuing aggressively in this tricky run-chase.

7.3 overs: Mortaza strikes, removes Ambati Rayudu (2) caught behind. India have been pegged back after the brisk start. 46/2

End of Over 6: Dismissive! Rohit (27*) pulls Mustafizur for a SIX to end the over. The skipper is in a hurry. 43/1

4.4 overs: Dhawan throws his wicket away. After paddling Nazmul Islam for a boundary, he tries to clear mid-on but fails to do so. India 35/1



End of Over 4: Fourth boundary of the Indian innings and second off Dhawan's bat. The left-hander pierces the field with a square drive. 24/0

End of Over 2: Mustafizur Rahman begins from the other end and hits Dhawan on the pads with the one that seamed in sharply, but it was struck high and turned down. 12/0

End of Over 1: Bangladesh start with the part-time spin of Mehidy Hasan. So they have come out trying to surprise the in-form Indian openers, but Dhawan begins with cut in front of point for India's first boundary. And Rohit's neat clip off the pads gets him his first boundary as well. 10/0

BANGLADESH INNINGS (222 all out)

48.3 Over: All out! Bumrah castles last man Rubel for a duck to bring the curtains down on Bangladesh innings. What a comeback from India to bowl out the opposition for 222 from 120/0! Kuldeep Yadav took 3/45 and Kedar Jadhav 2/41 to help India come back. Das the top-scorer with 121 off 117 balls.



48.1 Overs: Third run-out of the innings. Soumya Sarkar (33) played a handy innings but failed to beat Rayudu-Dhoni combination while trying to steal a second run. 222/9

End of Over 48: Bangladesh 221/8 and are now looking to just play out the last 12 balls to bat their full quota of overs.

46.4 Overs: Another Bangladeshi batsman walks back. It was easy for Manish Pandey to just run in and remove the bails to send Nazmul Islam (7) back. 213/8.

End of Over 45: Bumrah is doing what he does the best, bowling full-length deliveries in death overs, not allowing anything to the batsmen to play with. BAN 202/7. Soumya Sarkar batting on 23 and Nazmul Islam on 1.

42.5 Overs: Mortaza smacks Kuldeep for a six over mid-wicket and loses his cool later in the over. Jumps out and completely misses the line while taking a wild swing. Dhoni gets another stumping, this time a simple one. 196/7

40.5 overs: Dhoni's swift glovework sends Liton Das back after a brilliant knock of 121. Yadav the wicket-taker. Bangladesh 186/6.



End of Over 40: Sarkar (18*) breaks a spell of ones and twos with a SIX over mid-wicket fence off Jadhav, as the Bangladesh innings enters death overs at 178/5.

End of Over 39: Looks like Bangladesh have rightly reassessed the target they had in mind and are now eyeing a late flourish to perhaps cross 250. They are 168/5 now with Liton batting on 109 and Soumya on 10.

End of Over 37: Liton (107* off 100) has slowed down and quite evidently making an effort to bat as deep as he can with the lower-middle order and tailenders to come. 165/5

Drinks Break - BAN 160/5 in 35 overs

End of 34 Overs: Das (106*) continues to hold one end together but it's a Catch-22 situation for him, with wickets continuing to fall at the other end that is now occupied by Soumya Sarkar (2*). 157/5

32.2 Overs: WICKET! Mahmudullah (6) too falls trying to be flamboyant and is taken brilliantly by Bumrah in the deep. 151/5


End of Over 30: From 120/0, Bangladesh lost four wickets in the next 19 runs, and are now 147/4, with Mahmudullah accompanying centurion Das.

28.4 Overs: Century for Liton Das in 87 balls. So he converts his maiden fifty to maiden hundred. Bangladesh 145/4.

End of 28 Overs: Run out! Bangladesh slip further as a brilliant stop by Jadeja results in a mix up leading to Mithun's (2) wicket.

End of 26.5 Overs: The golden arm of Jadhav strikes again as Bangladesh slip further after a brilliant stand. Mushfiqur holes out at deep mid-wicket to Bumrah, as Das (95*) looks on at the other end. 137/3

End of 25 Overs: Bangladesh 133/2 at halfway stage as Mushfiqur gets going with a boundary off Jadhav. Das batting on 92.

23.5 Overs: Another wicket! Umpire raises his finger to an LBW appeal against Kayes (2) facing Chahal. The batsman goes for a review. On-field decision upheld. BAN 128/2

End of Over 23: Das (91*) is into the nineties. Imrul Kayes (2*) partnering him now after the fall of Hasan. BAN 128/1.

20.5 OVERS: OUT! Kedar Jadhav once again proves to be man with the golden arm, as Hasan (32) tries to cut but couldn't keep it down. 120/1.

End of Over 20: It's raining boundaries off Das's (85*) bat now, and Jadeja is at the receiving end with two more boundaries in that over. 116/0

17.5 Overs: 100 up for Bangladesh with another boundary by Das (73*), who cuts Jadeja to the third-man fence. Hasan on 27*. BAN 102/0





End of Over 16: A pull from way back in his crease against Jadeja brings the seventh boundary for Das, as he and Hasan approach century opening stand.

End of Over 15: Kuldeep finishes his third over, but the Bangladesh openers are playing well, trying to sweep or paddle the Indian wrist spinner at every given opportunity. 86/0

End of Over 13: Hasan (19*) and Das (57*) have taken the total to 78/0.

End of Over 11: Fifty for Das with a boundary, off 33 balls, maiden half-century in ODIs, but off the next ball he miscues trying to sweep Jadeja. The skier, though, is dropped by Chahal who back-paddles to get under the ball but to no avail. BAN 74/0,

End of Over 10: Bhuvneshwar is back in the attack and bowls a good one, just a single off it. BAN 65/0 at the end of first Powerplay.



End of Over 8: Swept! SIX! Das (41*) is on a roll here as he takes on Chahal's leg-spin. That follows fifty for Bangladesh, and ANOTHER SIX by Das to end the over that leaked 16 runs. 58/0

End of Over 7: Boundaries continue to flow off Das's (28*) bat as he lifts Bumrah over mid-on for his fourth four. 42/0.

End of Over 5: Consecutive boundaries by Liton Das (22*) disturb Bhuvi's figures. Some superb timing on both the shots - first one a guide through square leg and the next a leg glance. 33/0

End of Over 4: A punch through the covers off Bumrah brings the second boundary for Mehidy Hasan. Bangladesh 25/0.

End of Over 3: Close run-out call for Mehidy but he survives. Bangladesh 13/0

End of Over 2: Mehidy hits first four of the match off Bumrah but not a confident one as the thick outside edge goes past a diving first slip. Bangladesh 8/0

End of Over 1: Good start by Bhuvi as he gives away just three runs from the over. Bangladesh 3/0

Mehidy Hasan and Liton Das are out in the middle to open Bangladesh innings while Bhuvneshwar Kumar with the ball

TOSS

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma wins toss, opts to field against Bangladesh in Dubai

India pick a full strength team for the title clash, bringing back Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shikhar Dhawan and captain Rohit Sharma, who all were rested for the game against Afghanistan.

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah

Nazmul Islam was picked in place of Mominul Haque in the Bangladesh playing eleven

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Liton Das(wk), Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Imrul Kayes, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Nazmul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman