Bangladesh are all set to take on India in the final of the Asia Cup 2018 after defeating Pakistan in the last match of the Super Four stage which was touted as virtual semi-final. Bangladesh have seen various ups and downs during the tournament as they started their campaign on a high note against Sri Lanka and thrashed them in the opening match of the tournament but later they struggled against Afghanistan and suffered a humiliating loss. Later in the Super Four stage, they lost to the finalist India in a one-sided match, but they bounced back and defeated Afghanistan and Pakistan to enter the final of the Asia Cup for the second successive time.
While Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza is fully confident, he wants his team to keep control on their emotions against India.
Mortaza acknowledged that India are the overwhelming favourites in the final but said anything can happen on the field.
"I think India is a far better team, they are number one in the world, the came here as the favourites, but then you never know, anything can happen. So, we will have to be mentally strong and fight till the last ball. It's important to keep our emotion in check," Mortaza said at the pre-match press conference on the eve of the final.
"We came through a difficult situation like losing one player after another and in that sense, the players really have learnt a lot. It was a great lesson for the boys. I think young players will learn that we must continue our fight till the last ball." Mortaza added.
Bangladesh have a long history of losing their emotions against India in crucial matches. In the Nidahas Trophy final in March this year, Bangladesh were in a perfect position to win the match before Dinesh Karthik played a blinder of an innings (34 off 12 balls) to swing the match in India's favour. In the 2016 World T20, Bangladesh batsmen choked against Hardik Pandya in the last over of the match to throw away an easy chance of victory. (Also Read: Asia Cup 2018: Bangladesh's Road to Final)
Asked if they have learnt from past mistakes during crucial games against India, he said: "Every tournament has been a distinct journey whether the 2012 final against Pakistan or 2016 against India. Every time 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 fully fit. We can learn from him."
Asked about the recipe for defeating India without Tamim and Shakib, Mortaza said: "Actually you need to wait for a cue on the field. It could be a great spell or maybe a great inning. Like a good partnership like one that Mushfiqur and Mithun shared against Pakistan. Or else I don't think you have easy options of beating India."
He said Bangladesh cricket needs a tournament triumph.
"I don't judge myself on the basis of one trophy. I have not played cricket for one trophy. I can say that a trophy is very important for Bangladesh. Insha Allah one day Bangladesh will win a trophy. The youngsters will get a boost if Bangladesh win", the Bangladesh skipper added.
