PlanetCricket
Bot
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2010
Article by swacker -
?However, there can be no two thoughts about the fact that they are worthy finalists. Unlike the 2003 World Cup when Kenya made it to the semi-finals on the basis of a faulty system, Bangladesh have beaten both India and Sri Lanka persuasively in transit to making it to the pinnacle clash. Whatever the result of the final, one thing is for sure, Bangladesh cricket has certainly taken a much-awaited step forward. In the past they have too often honoured to deceive. And although this time they have been aided by home conditions, their performance has been no freak.
Apart from home series wins against West Indies and New Zealand in the last few years and the 2007 World Cup win against India, Bangladesh have not done much of tone. Still, the fans have backed their under-performing side to the hilt. Their team’s effort in this series is just compensated for followers and fervent admirers of Bangladesh cricket. Their big clash against Pakistan will thus go down as a key instant in the annals of Bangladesh cricket. Expect fans to pack the stadium in Mirpur, for this is the position they have been waiting for, for years.
Even amidst all the hype and propaganda surrounding Bangladesh’s revival, each member of the team would be aware that they would go in to the big match as underdogs. Somehow, this pressure of not being anticipated to win could well turn out to be a dedication in disguise for the home team although the fans would like to believe otherwise now. Having beaten India and Sri Lanka, and almost having got the better of Pakistan in the opening encounter, Bangladesh would be assured of putting up another top class performance. What remains to be seen is how well they can handle the burden of the big day.
They will be floated by a number of performances, none more than that of opener Tamim Iqbal, who has scored a half-century in each of the games ? and to think that he wasn’t even in the original Asia Cup squad. Shakib Al Hasan, as predicted, has redundant with both bat and ball. With each passing year in international cricket, the fairy tale of Shakib is only growing firmer. He will most likely end up being Bangladesh’s first ‘groovy’. The efforts of rookie Nasir Hossain too have been worthy. If these guys fire in the final, there is no reason why the home team can’t give Pakistan a tough fight in the final as well.
While Pakistan will begin as certain favourites, they will not go into the final in the best skeleton of mind. In any case, they were thumped ruthlessly by India in their previous happenstance, and the pasting their bowlers received at the hands of Virat Kohli would be difficult to overcome. However, they would be happy not to face India in the final. Their bowling should look a lot more assured as disparate to against India. And Bangladesh should underestimate Shahid Afridi, with the ball in particular, at their own peril.
(Image from Cricinfo)
More...
?However, there can be no two thoughts about the fact that they are worthy finalists. Unlike the 2003 World Cup when Kenya made it to the semi-finals on the basis of a faulty system, Bangladesh have beaten both India and Sri Lanka persuasively in transit to making it to the pinnacle clash. Whatever the result of the final, one thing is for sure, Bangladesh cricket has certainly taken a much-awaited step forward. In the past they have too often honoured to deceive. And although this time they have been aided by home conditions, their performance has been no freak.
Apart from home series wins against West Indies and New Zealand in the last few years and the 2007 World Cup win against India, Bangladesh have not done much of tone. Still, the fans have backed their under-performing side to the hilt. Their team’s effort in this series is just compensated for followers and fervent admirers of Bangladesh cricket. Their big clash against Pakistan will thus go down as a key instant in the annals of Bangladesh cricket. Expect fans to pack the stadium in Mirpur, for this is the position they have been waiting for, for years.
Even amidst all the hype and propaganda surrounding Bangladesh’s revival, each member of the team would be aware that they would go in to the big match as underdogs. Somehow, this pressure of not being anticipated to win could well turn out to be a dedication in disguise for the home team although the fans would like to believe otherwise now. Having beaten India and Sri Lanka, and almost having got the better of Pakistan in the opening encounter, Bangladesh would be assured of putting up another top class performance. What remains to be seen is how well they can handle the burden of the big day.
They will be floated by a number of performances, none more than that of opener Tamim Iqbal, who has scored a half-century in each of the games ? and to think that he wasn’t even in the original Asia Cup squad. Shakib Al Hasan, as predicted, has redundant with both bat and ball. With each passing year in international cricket, the fairy tale of Shakib is only growing firmer. He will most likely end up being Bangladesh’s first ‘groovy’. The efforts of rookie Nasir Hossain too have been worthy. If these guys fire in the final, there is no reason why the home team can’t give Pakistan a tough fight in the final as well.
While Pakistan will begin as certain favourites, they will not go into the final in the best skeleton of mind. In any case, they were thumped ruthlessly by India in their previous happenstance, and the pasting their bowlers received at the hands of Virat Kohli would be difficult to overcome. However, they would be happy not to face India in the final. Their bowling should look a lot more assured as disparate to against India. And Bangladesh should underestimate Shahid Afridi, with the ball in particular, at their own peril.
(Image from Cricinfo)
More...
