India even without its top of the world Captain Virat Kohli is now a very strong all round team in all formats of the game. India now possesses the strongest batting, very effective all round bowling attack (pace, swing, seam and spin), matured and experienced.
Bangladesh the challenger on the other hand is now without their two main weapons Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan. Still Bangladesh hs strong will, great commitment and do or die attitude. None should say the much awaited final of team tigers with team India can not produced mouth watering keen contest. Bangladesh appearing for the third final over the last four tournaments has all the reason to believe that Mashrafe can yet again inspire a brave performance.
What a great sight it would be if lovable Mashrafe lifts the Asia Cup tonight (early Morning tomorrow here in Australia). If that happens tigers and Mashrafe would inscribe a new page in already checkered history of Bangladesh. It appears a very difficult but not impossible task.
India bats deep. The two top quality openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are in prolific form. Bangladesh has to get rid of both early to expose Indian middle order as soon as possible. With Mustafiz is near at his peak, Mashrafe and Mehidy Miraj bowling consistently well early double break through is vey much possible. We have seen that Dubai wicket grips and assist swing. For that who can better exploit the condition than wily Mashrafe. Fizz is always a threat for any batsmen at any spell of his bowling .How brilliantly Mustafiz has won matches for Bangladesh against Afghanistan and Pakistan.
We are not sure whether Rahul or Rayudu would play in the final. If Bangladesh can remove Rohit and Dhawan early batsmen like Rahul, Rayudu and Karthik would be under the pump to keep the innings going. But for that to happen the 5th bowling combination of Mahmudullah and Soumya have to repeat what they did against Pakistan. But we must bear in mind that Indian batting is of much greater quality and strength. There is one and only MS Dhoni who can make or break any innings on his day. Mashrafe has to maneuver his bowling resources as smartly as he always does. If India bats first Bangladesh must bat and field like hungry tigers restricting them below 250.
It is going to be difficult as Jadeja and late middle order also can bat good enough for producing a winning score for India. Bangladesh has to decide whether or not to appear with four main bowlers--Mashrafe, Mustafiz, Rubel and Mehidy and rely of Mahmudullah and Soumya for sharing the 5th bowling option. Indian batting may not get bogged down like Pakistan. Playing Mosaddek for his late middle order batting and more than useful bowling would be useful. Alternately Bangladesh may consider slotting in Ariful at late middle order.
Top order batting remains in a spot of bother through this Unimoni Asia cup. The problem took turn towards crisis after prolific opener Tamim got injured in the very first match against Sri Lanka. That crisis struck double blow with great all rounder Shakib worsening his injury. Bangladesh with two of the fabulous five inaccessible now has to continue playing out of their skin for challenging India. Bhubaneswar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have found Dubai wicket suiting their accurate swing and seam bowling. Bangladesh must play their better experienced genuine openers Liton and Kayes for neutralisining the damaging impacts of Indian seamers. A good opening partnership would be essential for Mushfique, Mithun, Mahmudullah to consolidate.
I do not think Mominul is in the right frame of mind now for producing his best. Playing Mithun at three, Mushfique at four and Mahmudullah at five would be right strategy. Either Mosaddek or Ariful can be slotted at six. Mosaddeq or Ariful can be the fifth bowling option alongside Mahmudullah. Mehedy Miraj, Mashrafe, Rubel and Mustafiz can make the playing X1. Bangladesh must be very careful against Jadeja. It is not that Bangladesh batsmen did not play him well in the past. The key to success would be winning the toss, batting responsibly and bravely producing 280 plus runs, taking early wickets and exposing Indian middle order as early as possible to Fizz magic. We now know how majestically Bangladesh fields like wounded tigers hungry for prey.
What a matter of pride it would be if team tigers tweet yet again making the nation proud winning the top honor of Asia. Bangladesh eves have already done that. Now it is the turn of Mashrafe squad repeating that feat. Bangladesh in many areas are ideal model for the rest of the developing world and definitely the potential development hub in Asia. Cricket is making Bangladesh proud in world community. Bangladesh richly deserves Asia Cup which has eluded them so far.
GO TIGERS GO. LET THE CRICKET WORLD LITEN ROCK WITH THE CACKING SOUND OF ROARING TIGERS.
Suggested Possible Playing XI:
Bangladesh: Liton K Das, Imrul Kayes, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mosaddek/Ariful, Mehidy Miraj, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Rubel Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman
BDST: 0908 HRS, SEPT 28, 2018
SI
