Top-ranked India will be wary of a resurgent Bangladesh cricket team as they take on the hosts in the Asia Cup Twenty20 tournament final in Dhaka on Sunday.
India crushed Bangladesh by 45 runs in the opening match, but the hosts have since made a turnaround in their form wining three matches on the trot to qualify for the final.Bangladesh’s five-wicket win over Pakistan on Wednesday, watched by prime minister Sheikh Hasina among others from the gallery, sparked a huge interest about the final in the country.
‘Any good team if they are the home team, they will always know the conditions very well. So, to beat a home team is always difficult,’ said Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as his side defeated UAE by nine wickets on Thursday to end the league phase with a 100 per cent record.
‘Also Bangladesh, over the years has developed a lot. They have improved their strength. They know the condition well. It will be a good final.’
India, who won nine of their last 10 Twenty20 internationals, will start the final as favourites, but Dhoni refused to take anything for granted, especially in this format of the game.
‘A lot depends on which team plays better cricket,’ he said.
‘This format the difference between the two teams can often be just one knock, one individual having a very good day or one bowler having a very good day.
‘The difference between a good team and not-so-good team can be just a performance on that particular day.
‘So I feel it will be a very good final,’ said Dhoni, whose illustrious trophy case includes just one Asia Cup in 2010.
Bangladesh qualified for the Asia Cup, played in 50-over format previously, final only once in 2012 when they lost to Pakistan by just two runs at home.
Dhoni feels that they will have to stop the big-hitters in Bangladesh team and should not allow any particular bowler to have an outstanding day.
‘In this format, what has happened doesn’t really matter’, Dhoni added.
‘It depends on that particular day as to what’s going to happen. You have to keep the big-hitter out of the game.
‘You have to make sure that one of the bowlers doesn’t have an outstanding day. The field is set for a very good final.’
-With New Age input
