Tigers ready to exult in summit clash

Tamim looks to amend his first match blunder

Bangladesh are ready to exult on the big occasion but refrain them from being emotion-chalked, considering that they have rooms to improve in T20 cricket. The hosts will fancy a chance in Sunday’s Asia Cup final against India, despite not being a clear favourite. But the expectation from the adorable home crowd gets higher.
The final now has been the talk of the town with the summit clash between two neighbouring countries being in the centre stage, from the road side tea stall to decorated drawing room; from the school, college, university to social media outlet. Cricket now leaves the people frenzied.
The recent past history between the two sides also fuels the intensity. The incident in 2015 World Cup in Melbourne still haunts the people if not the players. Bangladesh later won the ODI series just after the World Cup to make avenge but in T20 cricket India still remains unconquered. When Bangladesh plays against India, there is sense of anticipation that they would beat the mighty neighbour in any format of cricket but the belief got a blow in the round robin league game of Asia Cup where India recovered from a shaky start to crush Bangladesh by 45 runs.
Bangladesh then did enough to prove that they have been improving side in the shortest format of the cricket. They beat UAE, Sri Lanka and Pakistan comfortably to move into a final as a deserved-finalist and it was that which made the fans finger crossed once again.
“We have been improving but time is not ripe to term us as giant in T20 cricket,” Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal said during yesterday’s practice session at Mirpur.
Even though he didn’t make anything clear, the statement suggested the fans to tone down the expectation.
“We have a long way to go in this format. It’s true we showed some improvement and if we can continue this, we’ll be a forced to be reckoned with in this format,” Tamim said.
What would keep Bangladesh motivated is to show their improvement against India who is the top ranked T20 side at the moment.
“Every team wants to beat India because they are good side. They have been playing good cricket of late and this Asia Cup is no exception for them. The big thing is when you play good cricket against a tough opponent, your confidence will be high,” the swashbuckling opener opined.
“But one thing is sure. If we want to win against India, we have to come out all guns blazing. We have to prop our game in every department. They have the skill to deal with any opponent in any condition. India’s first match against us remains the burning example of their greater skill. They were in precarious position but still recovered to beat us comfortably.”
The senior cricketer of Bangladesh however ruled out the past battle against India would favour them psychology, saying that the Sunday’s game will be a completely new match.
India’s death bowling lately has attracted the attention of the world cricket with Ashish Nehra and Jasprit Bumrah mastering the skill in this sector.
“They have good batsmen always and they now added an effective bowling up. The likes of Nehra, Bumrah could be useful in any condition. We have to be careful and wait for the bad balls. We will have adequate home work on them.”
The Bangladesh opener himself has been in good form after hitting some brilliant knocks in the maiden Pakistan Super League. To be with his wife who gave their first child in Bangkok, Tamim opted out the PSL halfway through the tournament. He even opted out Asia Cup also but an SOS following the side strain injury of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman forced him to join the side in Bangladesh. It’s tough for a new father leave his baby for the official assignment, specially after the baby was born merely 24 hours ago. His mind should be in Bangkok.
“No when I joined the team in Bangladesh, my mind is here,” he said spontaneously. “I have been in runs though I didn’t get big score against Pakistan. Hopefully I’ll amend it in the final.”

Tigers ready to exult in summit clash

Tamim looks to amend his first match blunder

Bangladesh are ready to exult on the big occasion but refrain them from being emotion-chalked, considering that they have rooms to improve in T20 cricket. The hosts will fancy a chance in Sundays Asia Cup final against India, despite not being a clear favourite. But the expectation from the adorable home crowd gets higher. The final now has been the talk of the town with the summit clash between two neighbouring countries being in the centre stage, from the road side tea stall to decorated drawing room; from the school, college, university to social media outlet. Cricket now leaves the people frenzied. The recent past history between the two sides also fuels the intensity. The incident in 2015 World Cup in Melbourne still haunts the people if not the players. Bangladesh later won the ODI series just after the World Cup to make avenge but in T20 cricket India still remains unconquered. When Bangladesh plays against India, there is sense of anticipation that they would beat the mighty neighbour in any format of cricket but the belief got a blow in the round robin league game of Asia Cup where India recovered from a shaky start to crush Bangladesh by 45 runs. Bangladesh then did enough to prove that they have been improving side in the shortest format of the cricket. They beat UAE, Sri Lanka and Pakistan comfortably to move into a final as a deserved-finalist and it was that which made the fans finger crossed once again. We have been improving but time is not ripe to term us as giant in T20 cricket, Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal said during yesterdays practice session at Mirpur. Even though he didnt make anything clear, the statement suggested the fans to tone down the expectation. We have a long way to go in this format. Its true we showed some improvement and if we can continue this, well be a forced to be reckoned with in this format, Tamim said. What would keep Bangladesh motivated is to show their improvement against India who is the top ranked T20 side at the moment. Every team wants to beat India because they are good side. They have been playing good cricket of late and this Asia Cup is no exception for them. The big thing is when you play good cricket against a tough opponent, your confidence will be high, the swashbuckling opener opined. But one thing is sure. If we want to win against India, we have to come out all guns blazing. We have to prop our game in every department. They have the skill to deal with any opponent in any condition. Indias first match against us remains the burning example of their greater skill. They were in precarious position but still recovered to beat us comfortably. The senior cricketer of Bangladesh however ruled out the past battle against India would favour them psychology, saying that the Sundays game will be a completely new match. Indias death bowling lately has attracted the attention of the world cricket with Ashish Nehra and Jasprit Bumrah mastering the skill in this sector. They have good batsmen always and they now added an effective bowling up. The likes of Nehra, Bumrah could be useful in any condition. We have to be careful and wait for the bad balls. We will have adequate home work on them. The Bangladesh opener himself has been in good form after hitting some brilliant knocks in the maiden Pakistan Super League. To be with his wife who gave their first child in Bangkok, Tamim opted out the PSL halfway through the tournament. He even opted out Asia Cup also but an SOS following the side strain injury of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman forced him to join the side in Bangladesh. Its tough for a new father leave his baby for the official assignment, specially after the baby was born merely 24 hours ago. His mind should be in Bangkok. No when I joined the team in Bangladesh, my mind is here, he said spontaneously. I have been in runs though I didnt get big score against Pakistan. Hopefully Ill amend it in the final.