DHAKA: History beckons Bangladesh as they aim to rise above the minnows tag and notch up their biggest title since arriving on international scene when they take on Pakistan Thursday in the final of Asia Cricket Cup here.
With former champions India and Sri Lanka shockingly thrown out of the competition, it is most surprising summit line-up for the event which is struggling for relevance in a crowded international calendar.
Defending champions India paid price for a stunning loss to Bangladesh in league stage while four-time winners Sri Lanka failed to register a single triumph this time.
The debacles of two teams, who have dominated the tournament since its inception way back in 1984, paved way for an unlikely finalist in Bangladesh, a side which is known to upstage biggies but not for going the whole hog.
The giant-killers thrashed India, chasing down a mammoth 290, but that was seen merely as one of rare stunners that Bangladesh are so well known to throw up in multi-national events.
However, the determined side proved critics wrong by beating an already demoralized Sri Lanka as well, a result that knocked India out of the final.
"It`s a great achievement for the country, so far the biggest. We realize it`s still not over, we have another very important game. We`ll enjoy, we`ll party, but on Thursday we`ll be back to business. I hope we will fire on 22nd," said opener Tamim Iqbal, hero of win over Sri Lanka with a half century.
"I think when we talk in dressing room its like, 100 runs in 20 overs is no problem. This is sort of confidence that we have now," said in-form all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.
"Cricket is a mental game so this confidence is very important. If a player goes down the wicket and thinks he`ll get stumped, he will. If he thinks he will hit a six, he`ll be successful at most times," he said.
If hosts manage to carry this confidence and clinch the big prize tomorrow, the country is set for one big party that might last quite a few days. And both Tamim and Shakib hold the key to this, at least on batting front.
But Pakistan would look to play the party poopers. Misbah-ul-Haq's men have not won the title since 2000 edition, which was interestingly held in Bangladesh.
Pakistan were given a mighty scare in league encounter that they played against hosts but would still be overwhelming favorites to win title for only the second time.
They certainly have arsenal to complete the job. Their batting looks solid with in form openers Mohammed Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed providing fine starts in the league stage. Younis Khan and Umar Akmal have made decent contributions in the middle order. Overall, Pakistan have line-up to post a huge total on board.
What probably might be slightly worrying is way their bowlers have leaked runs. Pace spearhead Umar Gul has picked up wickets but it is flow of runs that he has to check. Aijaz Cheema was ineffective, at least against India, who managed to chase down a huge target of 330 due to pedestrian effort of Pakistani bowlers.
Pakistan`s fielding too needs to improve. The reflexes haven`t been sharp enough and it could cost them dearly if Bangladesh manage to continue their superb run.
Pakistan certainly start as favorites when two captains walk out for toss tomorrow but given the high Bangladesh is on right now, it could well be the night of the underdog.
Teams (From):
Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Abdur Rehman, Aizaz Cheema, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Hammad Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Saeed Ajmal, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Younis Khan.
Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain; wk), Abdur Razzak, Anamul Haque, Elias Sunny, Imrul Kayes, Jahurul Islam, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza, Nasir Hossain, Nazimuddin, Nazmul Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Shahadat Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal. (PPI)
