The Bangladesh cricket team stand to make history today as they take on Sri Lanka in the last league match of the Asia Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Make it simple, it is a semifinal for the Tigers; if they manage a win against Sri Lanka, they will qualify for the Asia Cup final for the first time in their history.
Their opponents were knocked out of the tournament when India beat Pakistan, who are already through to the final, on Sunday. That win, India’s second, gives them eight points while Bangladesh have four from their solitary win over India. If they win today, Bangladesh will be tied with India on points — unless they win with a bonus point — but will go through on a head-to-head basis, having already beaten India in their league match.
Before this Asia Cup, Bangladesh only had two wins in the regional tournament — against United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.
The Tigers have only been in a tournament final once before, in the tri-nation tournament in 2009 at home involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Then too it was Sri Lanka they beat to reach the final.
The match starts at 2:00 pm today.
-With The Daily Star input
