India left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja could not have envisaged a better comeback on his return to international limited-overs cricket, shrugging off a 14-month absence by taking four wickets against Bangladesh in an Asia Cup triumph on Friday.

The 29-year-old is a regular in the Test side, particularly on home soil, but last played a one-dayer against West Indies in July 2017 and had been overlooked for white-ball cricket since.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who topped the world rankings for Test bowlers alongside Jadeja last year, has suffered a similar fate in short-form cricket due to the success of wrist-spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.

"During my earlier comebacks the gap was never so long. I will always remember this comeback because I returned to the team after a gap of almost 480 days," Jadeja said after being named man of the match following his 4-29 display.

"I was playing only Tests but the last two-three series were away and I was not getting many opportunities. I was telling myself that my job is to perform whenever I get an opportunity.

"That's what is in my control and that's how I was motivating myself. I was thinking how I can improve my game in away conditions."

Jadeja's heroics with the ball helped India restrict Bangladesh to 173 and they chased down the target with 82 balls and seven wickets to spare with stand-in captain Rohit Sharma remaining unbeaten on 83.

With India on a run of overseas Tests in which they generally employ a lone spinner, opportunities had dried up for Jadeja, who is also a brilliant fielder and more-than-capable lower-order batsman.

Late call-up

He was a non-playing member of the touring party for three Tests in South Africa in January, waiting until Afghanistan's inaugural Test against India in June for his next appearance.

Jadeja also warmed the bench in England for the first four Tests before being included in the fifth and final match earlier this month. He made an unbeaten 86 in the first innings and took seven wickets as India lost by 118 runs in a 4-1 series defeat.

He was then a late call-up to the Asia Cup squad after all-rounder Hardik Pandya was injured against Pakistan and left-arm spinner Axar Patel hurt his finger during practice.

"I got confidence from the last Test against England," Jadeja said. "I was playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy (domestic 50-over competition) in Delhi and got a call for the one-dayers.

"I didn't know what was going on here. I was very happy to get a call from the selectors, who asked me to be ready to go to Dubai."

The 50-over World Cup is barely nine months away but Jadeja is not ready to look that far ahead.

"I am not thinking about the World Cup yet. We are going to play a lot of matches before that," he said. "I have to perform the way I did today whenever I get an opportunity."

India left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja could not have envisaged a better comeback on his return to international limited-overs cricket, shrugging off a 14-month absence by taking four wickets against Bangladesh in an Asia Cup triumph on Friday.

India left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja could not have envisaged a better comeback on his return to international limited-overs cricket, shrugging off a 14-month absence by taking four wickets against Bangladesh in an Asia Cup triumph on Friday. The 29-year-old is a regular in the Test side, particularly on home soil, but last played a one-dayer against West Indies in July 2017 and had been overlooked for white-ball cricket since. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who topped the world rankings for Test bowlers alongside Jadeja last year, has suffered a similar fate in short-form cricket due to the success of wrist-spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. "During my earlier comebacks the gap was never so long. I will always remember this comeback because I returned to the team after a gap of almost 480 days," Jadeja said after being named man of the match following his 4-29 display. "I was playing only Tests but the last two-three series were away and I was not getting many opportunities. I was telling myself that my job is to perform whenever I get an opportunity. "That's what is in my control and that's how I was motivating myself. I was thinking how I can improve my game in away conditions." Jadeja's heroics with the ball helped India restrict Bangladesh to 173 and they chased down the target with 82 balls and seven wickets to spare with stand-in captain Rohit Sharma remaining unbeaten on 83. With India on a run of overseas Tests in which they generally employ a lone spinner, opportunities had dried up for Jadeja, who is also a brilliant fielder and more-than-capable lower-order batsman. Late call-up He was a non-playing member of the touring party for three Tests in South Africa in January, waiting until Afghanistan's inaugural Test against India in June for his next appearance. Jadeja also warmed the bench in England for the first four Tests before being included in the fifth and final match earlier this month. He made an unbeaten 86 in the first innings and took seven wickets as India lost by 118 runs in a 4-1 series defeat. He was then a late call-up to the Asia Cup squad after all-rounder Hardik Pandya was injured against Pakistan and left-arm spinner Axar Patel hurt his finger during practice. "I got confidence from the last Test against England," Jadeja said. "I was playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy (domestic 50-over competition) in Delhi and got a call for the one-dayers. "I didn't know what was going on here. I was very happy to get a call from the selectors, who asked me to be ready to go to Dubai." The 50-over World Cup is barely nine months away but Jadeja is not ready to look that far ahead. "I am not thinking about the World Cup yet. We are going to play a lot of matches before that," he said. "I have to perform the way I did today whenever I get an opportunity."

'I got confidence from the last Test against England,' says Ravindra Jadeja

Hashmatullah Shahidi missed out on a maiden hundred by a mere three runs but still steered Afghanistan to a challenging 257-6 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup at Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Shahidi hit three consecutive boundaries in the final over off Usman Shinwari, but failed to get to three figures off the last delivery after Afghanistan won the toss and batted in the Super Four clash.

Shahidi finished with a brilliantly-paced 118-ball 97 not out, and added 94 for the fourth wicket with his skipper Asghar Afghan, who smashed five sixes and two fours in his 56-ball 67.

But it was Shahidi who held one end against Pakistan's bowling in an innings which featured seven boundaries after left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz (3-57) had put the brakes on Afghanistan's early progress.

Shahidi had added 63 for the third wicket with Rahmat Shah who scored a measured 36.

The total is an improvement by Afghanistan after scoring 249 and 255 in their previous two wins against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Pakistani fielders dropped four catches, three off debutant paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi who finished with 2-38.

Hashmatullah Shahidi missed out on a maiden hundred by a mere three runs but still steered Afghanistan to a challenging 257-6 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup at Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Hashmatullah Shahidi missed out on a maiden hundred by a mere three runs but still steered Afghanistan to a challenging 257-6 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup at Abu Dhabi on Friday. Shahidi hit three consecutive boundaries in the final over off Usman Shinwari, but failed to get to three figures off the last delivery after Afghanistan won the toss and batted in the Super Four clash. Shahidi finished with a brilliantly-paced 118-ball 97 not out, and added 94 for the fourth wicket with his skipper Asghar Afghan, who smashed five sixes and two fours in his 56-ball 67. But it was Shahidi who held one end against Pakistan's bowling in an innings which featured seven boundaries after left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz (3-57) had put the brakes on Afghanistan's early progress. Shahidi had added 63 for the third wicket with Rahmat Shah who scored a measured 36. The total is an improvement by Afghanistan after scoring 249 and 255 in their previous two wins against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Pakistani fielders dropped four catches, three off debutant paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi who finished with 2-38.

Asia Cup 2018: Shahidi, Asghar lift Afghanistan to 257-6 against Pakistan

Ravindra Jadeja four-wicket helped India restrict Bangladesh to 173 in 49.1 overs in the Super Four, Match 1 at&nbsp;Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Friday.&nbsp;

India's all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who was added in the squad at the place of injured Hardik Pandya, proved to be the most economical bowler for team India.&nbsp;

He took crucial wickets of Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan&nbsp;to thrash the batting order.

Pacemen Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3-32) and Jasprit Bumrah (3-37) were also ruthless as Bangladeshi batting couldn't get going with tail-ender Mehidy Hasan top-scoring with a 50-ball 42 with two sixes and two boundaries.&nbsp;

Bangladesh, who were bowled out for a mere 119 against Afghanistan on Thursday, were once again off to a disastrous start during which they lost half the side for just 65 runs.

Mushfiqur Rahman, who scored a brilliant hundred against Sri Lanka, managed 21 while star batsman Shakib Al Hasan failed yet again with 17.

It could have been worse had Mehidy not put on a fighting 66-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Mashrafe Mortaza who made 26 with two sixes.

Scorecard:

Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Das), 2-16 (Nazmul), 3-42 (Shakib), 4-60 (Mithun), 5-65 (Rahim), 6-101 (Mahmudullah), 7-101 (Mosaddek), 8-167 (Mortaza), 9-169 (Hasan).

Bowling: Kumar 10-1-32-3(1w) Bumrah 9.1-1-37-3, Chahal 10-0-40-0, Jadeja 10-0-29-4 (1nb), Yadav 10-0-34-0.

Ravindra Jadeja four-wicket helped India restrict Bangladesh to 173 in 49.1 overs in the Super Four, Match 1 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Friday.

Ravindra Jadeja four-wicket helped India restrict Bangladesh to 173 in 49.1 overs in the Super Four, Match 1 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Friday. India's all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who was added in the squad at the place of injured Hardik Pandya, proved to be the most economical bowler for team India. He took crucial wickets of Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan to thrash the batting order. Pacemen Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3-32) and Jasprit Bumrah (3-37) were also ruthless as Bangladeshi batting couldn't get going with tail-ender Mehidy Hasan top-scoring with a 50-ball 42 with two sixes and two boundaries. Bangladesh, who were bowled out for a mere 119 against Afghanistan on Thursday, were once again off to a disastrous start during which they lost half the side for just 65 runs. Mushfiqur Rahman, who scored a brilliant hundred against Sri Lanka, managed 21 while star batsman Shakib Al Hasan failed yet again with 17. It could have been worse had Mehidy not put on a fighting 66-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Mashrafe Mortaza who made 26 with two sixes. Scorecard: Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Das), 2-16 (Nazmul), 3-42 (Shakib), 4-60 (Mithun), 5-65 (Rahim), 6-101 (Mahmudullah), 7-101 (Mosaddek), 8-167 (Mortaza), 9-169 (Hasan). Bowling: Kumar 10-1-32-3(1w) Bumrah 9.1-1-37-3, Chahal 10-0-40-0, Jadeja 10-0-29-4 (1nb), Yadav 10-0-34-0.

Asia Cup 2018: Jadeja's four keep Bangladesh down to 173

Afghanistan spin sensation&nbsp;Rashid&nbsp;Khan&nbsp;bid farewell to his teenage years with an exemplary all-round performance to help his side thrash Bangladesh in their Asian Cup clash in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Rashid&nbsp;smashed an unbeaten 57 off 32 deliveries, in a knock that included eight fours and a six, to lift Afghanistan to 255 for seven and then returned to torment Bangladesh with the ball in a man of the match display in the 136-run victory.

Celebrating his 20th birthday, he could do little wrong, finishing with figures of 2-13 in nine overs and also effecting a run out with a direct hit.

"It was a special day for me and I am really happy for my performance. The best thing is I contributed in batting, bowling and fielding,"&nbsp;Rashid&nbsp;said when collecting his award at the post-match presentation.

"That's what we work so hard for. We will do our best to continue this form."

Rashid&nbsp;has made rapid strides since his international debut as a 17-year-old in October 2015, and in February he became the youngest player to top the International Cricket Council bowler rankings in both white-ball formats.

His stock as a batsman is also on the rise as he completed his third one-day international half-century on Thursday.

"I wanted to bat until the end whatever the total we get," he said, having added 95 for the unbroken eighth wicket with Gulbadin Naib, who scored 42 off 38 balls. "I wanted to focus on each and every ball, and finish the innings."

Rashid&nbsp;has played a major role in Afghanistan's journey to becoming a test-playing nation, and earlier in the year became the fastest to take 100 wickets in ODIs, beating Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc's achievement by eight matches.

He is already a renowned strike bowler and has made a name for himself in Twenty20 leagues around the world, proving his worth in both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Australia's Big Bash League (BBL).

He was introduced in the 22nd over on Thursday and soon made his mark by dismissing all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for 32, cutting short Bangladesh's recovery bid after they were earlier reduced to 43-4.

"I come late to bowl in ODIs and T20s because I want to build the pressure on the batsmen, bowl more dot balls which help me get wickets,"&nbsp;Rashid&nbsp;added.

Afghanistan spin sensation Rashid Khan bid farewell to his teenage years with an exemplary all-round performance to help his side thrash Bangladesh in their Asian Cup clash in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Afghanistan spin sensation Rashid Khan bid farewell to his teenage years with an exemplary all-round performance to help his side thrash Bangladesh in their Asian Cup clash in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Rashid smashed an unbeaten 57 off 32 deliveries, in a knock that included eight fours and a six, to lift Afghanistan to 255 for seven and then returned to torment Bangladesh with the ball in a man of the match display in the 136-run victory. Celebrating his 20th birthday, he could do little wrong, finishing with figures of 2-13 in nine overs and also effecting a run out with a direct hit. "It was a special day for me and I am really happy for my performance. The best thing is I contributed in batting, bowling and fielding," Rashid said when collecting his award at the post-match presentation. "That's what we work so hard for. We will do our best to continue this form." Rashid has made rapid strides since his international debut as a 17-year-old in October 2015, and in February he became the youngest player to top the International Cricket Council bowler rankings in both white-ball formats. His stock as a batsman is also on the rise as he completed his third one-day international half-century on Thursday. "I wanted to bat until the end whatever the total we get," he said, having added 95 for the unbroken eighth wicket with Gulbadin Naib, who scored 42 off 38 balls. "I wanted to focus on each and every ball, and finish the innings." Rashid has played a major role in Afghanistan's journey to becoming a test-playing nation, and earlier in the year became the fastest to take 100 wickets in ODIs, beating Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc's achievement by eight matches. He is already a renowned strike bowler and has made a name for himself in Twenty20 leagues around the world, proving his worth in both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Australia's Big Bash League (BBL). He was introduced in the 22nd over on Thursday and soon made his mark by dismissing all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for 32, cutting short Bangladesh's recovery bid after they were earlier reduced to 43-4. "I come late to bowl in ODIs and T20s because I want to build the pressure on the batsmen, bowl more dot balls which help me get wickets," Rashid added.

Asia Cup 2018: Afghan sensation Rashid celebrates 20th birthday in style

Asghar Afghan, skipper of Afghanistan cricket team won the toss against&nbsp;Pakistan at&nbsp;Sheikh Zayed Stadium in&nbsp;Super Four, Match 2 on Friday.&nbsp;

Afghanistan have brought in big-hitting batsman Najibullah Zadran for Samiullah Shenwari.

Pakistan brought in Haris Sohail, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz after losing to India by eight wickets on Wednesday, leaving out Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf.

For Pakistan, 18-year-old Shaheen is making his one-day international debut.

Playing XI:

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Usman Khan Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Afghanistan: Asghar Afghan (captain), Mohammad Shahzad, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Aftab Alam, Ihsanullah Janat.

Asghar Afghan, skipper of Afghanistan cricket team won the toss against Pakistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Super Four, Match 2 on Friday. Afghanistan have brought in big-hitting batsman Najibullah Zadran for Samiullah Shenwari.

Asghar Afghan, skipper of Afghanistan cricket team won the toss against Pakistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Super Four, Match 2 on Friday. Afghanistan have brought in big-hitting batsman Najibullah Zadran for Samiullah Shenwari. Pakistan brought in Haris Sohail, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz after losing to India by eight wickets on Wednesday, leaving out Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf. For Pakistan, 18-year-old Shaheen is making his one-day international debut. Playing XI: Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Usman Khan Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi. Afghanistan: Asghar Afghan (captain), Mohammad Shahzad, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Aftab Alam, Ihsanullah Janat.

Asia Cup 2018: Afghanistan opt to bat against Pakistan

Asghar Afghan, skipper of Afghanistan cricket team won the toss against&nbsp;Pakistan at&nbsp;Sheikh Zayed Stadium in&nbsp;Super Four, Match 2 on Friday.&nbsp;

Afghanistan have&nbsp;brought in big-hitting batsman Najibullah Zadran for Samiullah Shenwari.

Pakistan brought in Haris Sohail, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz after losing to India by eight wickets on Wednesday, leaving out Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf.

For Pakistan, 18-year-old Shaheen is making his one-day international debut.

Playing XI:

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Usman Khan Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Afghanistan: Asghar Afghan (captain), Mohammad Shahzad, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Aftab Alam, Ihsanullah Janat.

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'I got confidence from the last Test against England,' says Ravindra Jadeja

Asia Cup 2018: Shahidi, Asghar lift Afghanistan to 257-6 against Pakistan

Asia Cup 2018: Jadeja's four keep Bangladesh down to 173

Asia Cup 2018: Afghan sensation Rashid celebrates 20th birthday in style

Asia Cup 2018: Afghanistan opt to bat against Pakistan

Asia Cup 2018: Afghanistan opt to bat against Pakistan