“Let me be honest, the moment Tamim entered the field against Sri Lanka as the last man to help Mushfiqur score those runs, my Asia Cup was won”.
Abu Dhabi : Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza says his injury-struck side will have to improve considerably in all departments to challenge India in the Asia Cup final here on Friday.
Bangladesh stunned Pakistan by 37 runs in the last Super Four match on Wednesday night to set up a summit clash with defending champions India. “We always know that India are a serious side and the number one side the world. We still need to improve a bit of our batting and bowling,” Mortaza said after the match.
“We will be missing Shakib (Al Hasan) and Tamim (Iqbal) but the boys have showed character and one match to go, and hopefully the boys will play hard,” he added.
Shakib flew back to Bangladesh after aggravating a finger injury, while Tamim was ruled out of the Asia Cup after fracturing his hand in the opening match. Praising his team for the crucial win, Mortaza said: “The bowlers did a good job, especially when we didn’t get the runs. I think we changed our combination a bit. Usually I open the bowling, but today we started with (Mehidy Hasan) Miraz.
“Mushi (Mushfiqur Rahim) and (Mohammad) Mithun batted really well.”
Pakistan were reduced to 18 for three in 3.3 overs. Though Imam-ul-Haq (83) kept them in the hunt.
Earlier, Bangladesh rode on a fighting 99 by Mushfiqur and Mithun’s 60 to recover from 12-3 in 4.2 overs and post 239 all out in 48.5 overs. “It was important I kept belief in myself,” said Mushfiqur, who was adjudged Man of the Match.
“And Mithun batted brilliantly too. I told him that we need to dig in after the early wickets. Credit goes to the way I practice and my preparation. That gives me confidence. I’m taking the right decisions more often.”
Mortaza on Thursday had no hesitation in terming India a far better team but said “my Asia Cup was won” when Tamim batted with one hand in their tournament opener. Dashing opener Tamim is one of the few key players Bangladesh will be missing in the final against India on Friday. “Let me be honest, the moment Tamim entered the field against Sri Lanka as the last man to help Mushfiqur score those runs, my Asia Cup was won,” Mortaza said at the pre-match press conference.
Bangladesh lost to India in the final of the tournament in 2016, four years before that they were defeated by Pakistan in the summit showdown of the continental event. Asked if they have learnt from past mistakes during crucial games, he said, “Every tournament has been a distinct journey whether final against Pakistan or against India. Everytime we encountered a few situations, overcame them and got into the finals.
“This journey in this tournament was a difficult one as we started losing players from the very first game (Tamim Iqbal). There was also concern whether Mushfiqur Rahim could play or not but then he played despite not being gully fit. We can learn from him.”