DHAKA: Mashrafe, the captain courageous now pilots the mission tigers with vision, competence and commitment. The success of Bangladesh cricket under his supreme command has rocked and rolled world cricket.

His Midas touch has changed Bangladesh Cricket, changed Bangladesh. Cricket has already put Bangladesh brightly and beautifully in the world map. How wonderfully a person having seven major surgeries in his legs has inspired his charge against the major cricketing nations of the world.

Bangladesh in world cricket is now a potential force to reckon with. Bangladesh now participates in the international tournaments and bilateral series for wins and wins only.

Sometime the opportunity slips out of the grips but most of the time success beacons. Bangladesh has stormed into the final of another international tournament Asian Cup Cricket Championship 2016 setting a date with top performing India.

It is a huge challenge. But Bangladesh with happy bunch of talented cricketers are up for it. If tigers play to their potential success will definitely greet them.

India on paper and in reality is a superior team. But Bangladesh is not lagging far behind in player to player matching. Rather in certain areas tigers are better.

We can definitely compare Tamim-Soumya opening partnership with Rohit and Dhawan. True Bangladesh pair have lesser exposure to T20 format but as far as playing aggressive dominating cricket Bangladesh pair is not far behind.

Kohli may have a little edge over young Sabbir at number three but Sabbir has dazzled cricket admirers with his quality, intent. If Kohli has already established himself as one of the top batsmen in all form of cricket, Sabbir is definitely on his way.

Shakib at number four is much better than Yuvraj in that position. Though Shakib is not in his element, yet with the bat in the current Asia cup yet it is only a matter of time for him to bounce back. He is a big occasion player and will definitely come of his own in the final.

Mushfique and Mahmudullah and Nasir at 5, 6 and 7 are definitely comparable with Yuvraj, Raina and Dhoni. So even in batting Bangladesh at home is comparable with India.

The loss of ace bowler Mustafiz through injury is a big blow for Bangladesh. But Taskin, Al Amin and Mashrafe are good enough for creating panic in Indian camp.

Compared to them Nehera, Kumar and the new boy Bumrah are way behind. Bangladesh batsmen have quality to dominate them. Shakib and Arafat Sunny are definitely comparable with Ashwin and Jadeja.

Bangladesh could put India into far greater challenge in the opening match of the tournament if only the catch offered by Rohit could be accepted early. But setting that aside Bangladesh at this moment fields much better than India.

Hence over all the teams are well matched and with a proper game plan Bangladesh can come victorious on March 6 epic final for machining another March 7 a celebration day for the Bangladeshi nation all over the world.

Brave Mashrafe can definitely lift the Asia Cup 2016 being played for the first time in T20 format.

Probable Teams:
There may be some last-minute changes based on form, fitness and character of the wicket. But there is more than even chance of playing the teams under. Experienced Nasir must I repeat must be in Bangladesh team.

Bangladesh:
Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar , Sabbir Rahman , Shakib Al Hasan , Mushfiqur Rahim , Mahmudullah Riad , Nasir Hossain, Mashrafee Bin Murtaza , Arafat Sunny , Al Amin Hossain and  Taskin Ahmed.

India:
Rohit Sharma , Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli , Yuvaraj Singh , Suresh Raina, HH Pandya MS Dhoni, Ravindra  Jadeja , Ravichrandra . Ashwin, JJ Bumrah and Ashish Nehera

Let us hope for a party time on our great day March 7.

BDST: 0842 HRS, MAR 03, 2016
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