Bangladesh have lost quite a number of close matches against Asian rivals India in recent times. Both the Nidahas Trophy final and Asia Cup final were lost to India in the final delivery of the match. India seem to have a mental edge over the Tigers in big matches but for skipper Mashrafe, the aspect was not related to psychology rather one of 'skill'.
Bangladesh went really close in the Nidahas trophy final before Dinesh Karthik played a blinding knock and hit six off the last delivery to take India to victory. That kind of match can heap more pressure in the long run. India are also a team which the Tigers' fan want to win against. Given the current scenario, tomorrow's match against Asian rivals India is a must-win match. Will Bangladesh face another mental block tomorrow?
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "Look, every time we played, we want to beat, but India was mostly, in the last few World Cups, was the better side, and that team is a very, very strong side as well," the skipper said today on the eve of the match.
"No, I don't think it's psychological. It's all about skill. Obviously, cricket is a psychological game. Fans are doing whatever they are thinking, but I don't think in those terms while in the middle. When we are playing, it's helping us a lot because all the pressure has to be handled while our players are playing.
The captain however reiterated that the pressure factor will be there.
"The teams -- those 11 players who play on the ground, in a difficult situation, they'll feel the pressure."
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