Hats off to Bangladesh: Dhawan

Bangladesh will go into today's Asia Cup final against India with some jarring memories from their previous appearances. The Tigers have come leaps and bounds from that gut-wrenching loss to Pakistan in 2012 and were never really expected to win in 2016, a T20 affair. This time around the main problem will be the missing stars in the form of Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal. However, the Tigers hope that they can cope with those losses as they did against Pakistan, especially in the absence of India's marquee player Virat Kohli. Here we look back at the previous two finals and also look ahead.

2016: INDIA BEAT BANGLADESH BY EIGHT WICKETS

The second time Bangladesh made the final of the tournament, again at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on home soil, the result was far more straightforward. The tournament had been changed to a 20-over format due to the impending World T20 and that was already a huge setback for Bangladesh, who had taken impressive steps in ODIs but still lacked substance in T20s -- arguably still the case two years later.

As such, the Tigers could put up only 120 runs on the board. The unbeaten Sabbir Rahman scored 32 off 29 to hold things down before Mahmudullah Riyad blazed his way to an unbeaten 33 off just 13, smiting two fours and as many sixes.

After the exchange, India, a dominant force in the format, cantered home in 13.5 overs. Dhawan departed after scoring 60 off 44 with nine boundaries and a six while Kohli remained not out after a 28-ball 41. Captain and one of the finest T20 players, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, was only required to play a supporting role and he did so in his own inimitable fashion with a seven-ball 20.

If the previous final against Pakistan was the most-closely fought, then this was perhaps the exact opposite and there were no tears this time around. Bangladesh captain Mashrafe simply walked to his counterpart and with a tip of the cap and shake of the hands, he walked back to claim second place for the second time.

2018: A RECORD SIXTH OR HISTORIC FIRST?

While India will be hoping to complete their dominance in Asia by winning a record sixth Asia Cup -- they are currently tied with Sri Lanka on five wins each -- Bangladesh will be hoping to finally add some silverware after years of near-misses.

The Tigers, even without their two stars, are certainly up to the task. Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman was firing on all cylinders against Pakistan and he was aptly rewarded with four wickets while Mehedi Hasan Miraz's stranglehold over batsmen added immense pressure. Even the part-timers showed up big time and if they can continue to do so and get India's dynamic opening duo of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan early, then it should set up a gripping game.

The batting department has been more lacklustre and much will likely depend on Mushfiqur again, but if he can find a partner in Mohammad Mithun or elsewhere, then the pocket-sized dynamo will certainly be a threat to India's bowling attack.

2012: PAKISTAN BEAT BANGLADESH BY TWO RUNS

The image of Mushfiqur Rahim crying into the arms of a teary-eyed Shakib is deeply embedded into the mind of every cricket-loving Bangladeshi. That was the aftermath of Bangladesh's harshest defeat to date, a two-run loss to Pakistan at the home of Bangladesh cricket.

Pakistan batted first and put up 236 for nine in their allotted overs. Opener Mohammad Hafeez chipped in with an 87-ball 40 and four others scored over 30 runs, including now captain Sarfraz Ahmed's 52-ball 46. Mashrafe, who was then being captained by Mushfiqur, Shakib and Abdur Razzak picked up two wickets each.

In a curious twist of fate, it was Shakib and Tamim that were key for Bangladesh, both hitting half centuries at key points of Bangladesh's innings. Bangladesh were eventually left needing 19 runs off the final two overs with Mahmudullah Riyad and Razzak at the crease and brought that down to nine off the final six balls before falling agonisingly shy in the most intensely-fought Asia Cup final to date. Man of the match Shahid Afridi was chiefly responsible for the heartbreak, scoring a quickfire 32 before suffocating the Tigers with the ball as he gave away just 28 runs in 10 overs.

SOUMYA'S PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Soumya Sarkar was batting in the ICC Academy nets the day before yesterday's match. He was facing up to some local net bowlers. One of them, just about bowling at medium pace, bowled a bouncer and Soumya, who has faced much faster bowlers, went for the hook. It was astonishing to see that he was late on the ball, making the shot an ungainly one that resulted in the ball going straight up into the net.

On match day, he was facing the considerably faster Junaid Khan. The Pakistan left-arm pacer bounced one at him and the exact same thing happened. Soumya was eons late on the pull, the ball went higher than long, and he was caught at square leg inside the circle. Given the practice, Soumya might count himself unlucky that he got bat on ball at all.

CAN'T WALK, CAN FLY

It is always a source of wonder that Mashrafe Bin Mortaza still plays cricket.  A survivor and sufferer of seven knee operations, it is a common sight to see him limping on the field. That is, until the ball is in play.

But even by his inspirational standards, yesterday was special. In the 21st over, Rubel Hossain bowled on Shoaib Malik's stumps and he played early and uppishly towards midwicket. Mashrafe, as if his boots were spring-loaded, leapt to his left and, completely airborne, plucked the ball two-handed clean out of its intended trajectory. He had a reaction time of 0.84 seconds and took the ball 2.54 metres above ground, proving that you don't need to walk to be able to fly. 

FIVE BALLS WITHOUT THE BIG FIVE

Those watching the match on TV may not have noticed, and they would probably have had a panic attack if they did, but for five balls during Pakistan's chase Bangladesh faced a situation they have not ever faced in the last decade.  Shakib Al Hasan had gone home before the match started because of injury, Tamim Iqbal left more than a week before. After the 15th over Mushfiqur Rahim went off as he was struggling with the heat and his lingering rib injury. Mahmudullah Riyad left the field a little later and, after Mashrafe caught Malik spectacularly, he left the field clutching his hand.

For the remaining five balls of that over, Bangladesh were without the five cricketers who have been the beginning and end of Bangladesh cricket for the last decade. Mahmudullah came back out at the end of the over and, let alone the fans, the cricketers themselves probably breathed a sigh of relief. 

The Asia Cup will be back to its 50-over format when the 16th edition of the regional cricket extravaganza kicks off in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30. As Bangladesh gear up for the six-team tournament under the leadership of all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, The Daily Star Sport looks back to the Tigers' performances in 2018 Asia Cup in UAE, played in their preferred 50-over format.

Tigers' batting woes continue

Bangladesh got off to a flying start in the tournament with a thumping 137-run victory against Sri Lanka but suffered back-to-back defeats in the tournament.

The Tigers had a pathetic batting display as they succumbed to a crushing 136-run loss against Afghanistan in their final group-stage encounter before making a meek surrender to India.

The then Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, however, had lashed out at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for their scheduling of the Super Four leg of matches that saw Bangladesh playing back-to-back games.

"It is very disappointing," said Mashrafe.

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Even a mad person would be upset, says Mash on fixture change

Bangladesh and Afghanistan were the most disadvantaged teams as they had to play on successive days in heat that exceeded 40 degrees Celsius during the day.

Rohit Sharma's unbeaten 83 off 104 balls -- his second successive fifty -- ensured his side handed Bangladesh their second defeat in two days.

India chased down Bangladesh's 173 with relative ease to win the first Super Four match.

The defending champions reached the target in 36.2 overs. It was yet another all-round display by the defending champions. On winning the toss, India opted to bowl first and restricted Bangladesh to under 200 and then chased down the target with 82 balls to spare.

Against a disciplined Indian bowling attack, Bangladesh could manage only 173 in 49.1 overs.

Ravindra Jadeja came in for injured Hardik Pandya and took four wickets (4/29). The left-arm spinner was supported by pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/32) and Jasprit Bumrah (3/37).

India dominated from the outset, with Bhuvneshwar removing Liton Das (7) in the fifth over. From 15 for one, Bangladesh soon found themselves tottering at 101/7.

But a 66-run eighth-wicket stand between Mortaza (26) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (42) helped Bangladesh move past the 150-run mark.