High flying Bangladesh confident of overcoming Indian challenge

After beating Sri Lanka with relative ease, Bangladesh is confident of making it to the Asia Cup final, a target that they set before heading to United Arab Emirates (UAE). The big challenge for Bangladesh will be to beat India in the next match, which could determine their fate.

A victory against India would help Bangladesh make a giant leap toward the final. Bangladesh will play against Pakistan on the following day, less than 24 hours after their meeting with India.

Given the scorching heat in Dubai, it is always tough to play two matches in consecutive days, that too against two tough opponents. But Bangladesh for the time being is thinking about how to beat India to boost them mentally ahead of the Pakistan clash.

Moreover momentum is with them, something which they want to cash in against India. Even though Bangladesh's T20 stat against India is very poor, momentum is always key behind their success.

History suggested that they were always able to beat India when momentum was with them. At the same, Bangladesh players naturally stayed charged up when they played against India. "We are confident of reaching the final," said Saif Hassan, who scored 61 off 45 to help Bangladesh win the crucial match against Sri Lanka by four wickets.

"There was belief in the dressing room that we would reach the final. So we are now one step ahead after beating Sri Lanka. There are two matches left for us," Saif further said, adding that they will focus on the next match only now. Bangladesh, so far, reached the Asia Cup final three times but ended up being runners up. Twice they lost the final to India and this time they want to touch the eluded trophy. "Definitely we have to dream big if we want to win the trophy but we should proceed step by step," he said. "Our next focus will be fully on the match against India and the match after which we will think about the next match," he said.

Earlier, Bangladesh made a mockery of Sri Lanka bowling to claim a four-wicket victory in emphatic fashion for a winning start to the Asia Cup Super Fours at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday night.

Bangladesh chased the target effortlessly with opener Saif Hasan and middle order batter Towhid Hridoy hitting fifties to take the side over the line in the penultimate delivery.


Saif played a decisive 61 off 45, laced with two fours and four sixes, his maiden fifty in a winning cause. Hridoy used the foundation, led by Saif to good effect, hitting 37 ball-58 with four fours and two sixes.

Bangladesh: Liton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Patwari, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Saifuddin.