DHAKA: Wonder how ICC could schedule a warm up match of T20 world cup on March 6, the day earlier scheduled for the final of Asia Cup 2016? How could be sure that Bangladesh would not feature in the final?
For over a year Bangladesh at home is playing wonderful cricket in all formats of the game. How wonderfully they moved into the final sending past champions of the event Sri Lanka and Pakistan back home! Even the opening match of the tournament against top T20 ranked team India was not less competitive. If in that match Shakib could hold on to the catch offered by the man of the match Rohit Sharma the result could be so different.
India did not win easy. Neither the victory of India against Bangladesh in the ICC World Cup at MCG in 2015 was without controversy. Bangladesh beat India 2-1 in the bilateral ODI series that followed. Bengal tigers are still leaking wounds of the biased/faulty umpiring of Ian Gould and Aleem Dar on that infamous MCG derby.
Today’s epic final at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium will definitely rekindle the flash in the fire of Bangladesh-India cricket rivalry. There will be no friendly fire. Although one of the main Bangladesh weapon in the arsenal Mustafizur Rahman is not playing for injury, there are enough weapons to bother the strong Indian batting line up. We are sure that there would be no free bees.
Bengal tigers will leave nothing unturned to challenge India. The world cricket has already witnessed how ferociously team tigers hunt in the home of cricket. On the second attempt at the trophy as finalists Shakib-Mushfiqur would not leave the battle ground with tears. And even then if there would be any it would be “Tears Of Joy”.
Going by the form and fitness of the teams in the contemporary cricket two top teams of the tournament genuinely qualified for the final. The ICC scheduling a warm up match for Bangladesh of World T20 tournament coinciding with the scheduled date of the final of Asia Cup has already become an object of ridicule. ICC has been put to shame. On sub-continental condition Bangladesh would turn among the favorites even in T20 world cup when they qualify for the final round irrespective of which other teams would be in the group.
Turning back to the final going to be played it will be an even contest. India may have nose in front for their vastly experienced batting lineup. But Bangladesh would not lag behind with equally talented batting strength. Bangladesh bowling and fielding definitely have greater depth and diversity.
Rohit is not in the rollicking form as he usually is. Same can be said about Shikhar Dhawan. Highly talented Virat had to win tight matches. But he failed against Bangladesh in the opening match. In recent times he had to struggle against Bangladeshi pacers. Al-Amin, Taskin and Mashrafe might take difficult exam for Indian top order.
Al-Amin is the most consistent performer in the tournament and is among the leading wicket takers. Taskin is rattling opposing batsmen with pace. He has past track record of success in his baptism against India. Willy old fox Mashrafe is always there to create tremor with his intelligent bowling. Bangladesh is expected to unleash young Abu Hider Rony today. If the wicket has any assistance to pace India may find it a bit difficult to negotiate four prong pace battery of the home side.
Indian middle order of Raina, Rahane, Pandya and Dhoni are not in explosive form. Pakistani and Sri Lankan bowlers put them under early pressure. Bangladesh has nothing to be scared or worried about Indian batting. But they will have to take their chances. There cannot be butter fingers anywhere while fielding, no sign of nerves. Talented Bangladeshi bowlers whether pacers or spinners would create opportunities and those cannot be grasped.
It will be batting that will create the difference or tilt the balance in the match of the two well matched teams. It will not be Bangladesh but India that will be under pressure. Bengal tigers are on the edge of creating history. If they win that will their first win in any world tournament. How the nation will love to celebrate the occasion on the historic day of March 7 the day Bangabandhu spelled out the historic poem that turned the flash into fire in 1971 liberation war.
Prolific Tamim and sizzling Soumya are expected to set fire in the terrace with their blazing bats when they launch Bangladesh batting. Tamim was running riot in the UAE desert in not too distant past and Soumya just contributed massively in knocking out strong Pakistan. In recent times Sabbir turned out to be an ideal number three batsman setting off from the word goes. If he connects few early deliveries with the middle of the bat Indian fielders may have to chase leather throughout the rest of the Bangladesh innings. Shakib we know is a big occasion player and possibly has preserved his best for the match.
Nothing can be bigger than challenging the top ranked team in the final. The most experienced Bangladesh superstar would definitely contribute with both ball and bat in the match. Mushfiqur although not at his brilliant best succeeded earlier against India. Mahmudullah the unnerved, little heralded Bengal tiger has always proved reliable when relied upon. We would definitely want Nasir Hossain to play but without any match in the recent past it may be a big gamble for the team management to suddenly include him in the match. Captain peerless Mashrafe is no mug with the bat.
Bangladesh fields much better than India. Better bowling and fielding and almost equally matched batting strength makes Bangladesh equally favorite in the match today. It is anybody’s game with neither teams nose in front.
No team has blasted other in the tournament so far. Wicket has purchase for pacers and teams possessing better pace attack have put enormous pressure on the opposition early on. Both Bangladesh and India bats deep with top quality batsmen all the way down to number 8. India undoubtedly has more experienced players in this format. Bangladesh in the past have won against much more stronger Indian team in the Asia cup although that was played in 50 overs format.
T20 is the shortest version and is like a gamble. Once the cards are played there are no chances of retrieving. Lady luck has some love links with Mashrafe. He has Midas touch. There is more than even chance that Bengal tigers would have victory laps this even out witting India. Ravi Shastri may have to respect all the time the potentials and proven ability of Bengal tigers in world cricket from then on. ICC WILL NEVER AGAIN DARE UNDERESTIMATING BENGAL TIGERS.
Bangladeshis all over the world are eagerly and expectantly waiting for a chorus for shouting aloud. We all will have tears of joy running down our cheeks. Mashrafe deserves that bright smile on his confident face this evening .Go TIGERS GO.
BDST: 0834 HRS, MAR 05, 2016
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