Advantage Pakistan in virtual Asia Cup semi-final against Bangladesh, says Venkatesh Prasad
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Venkatesh Prasad has stated that although both Pakistan and Bangladesh have been erratic in their performances in the Asia Cup, the former hold the upper hand in the game. India are the other team for the finals to be played on 28th September at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The Asia cup performance of the Indian team has been in pure contrast to the previous England series, where they lost the Test series 4-1. They have looked like an unbeatable team, except in the matches where they have rested some frontline players, like in the matches against Hong Kong and yesterday’s tied thriller against Afghanistan. However, Pakistan and Bangladesh are not at all consistent in their performances, being hot and cold in tandem. But, Prasad feels that Pakistan are the favourites against the Bangla boys for today’s encounter.
"India assured themselves of a place in the final with a thumping win over Pakistan. Their opponents in the title clash will be known when Pakistan take on Bangladesh in the Super Four encounter in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Having pulled off a last-over win against Afghanistan on Sunday night, Bangladesh, who lost the 2012 final at home to Pakistan, will have to play brave cricket to earn themselves a shot against Rohit Sharma's team. Pakistan, who have been outplayed by India in all departments not once but twice in the tournament, will have to regroup in quick time. Given both the teams' inconsistency in the tournament, I'll still hand Pakistan an edge over Bangladesh.
"That said, both teams - not in their best form - will have to show character and form in plenty in the virtual semi-final. The sides have lacked the X-factor. Failure of the top-order, poor fielding and lack of bite in the bowling has been their bane. With their backs to the wall, Bangladesh did well to hold their nerve to pull off a three-run win against Afghanistan and that should give them the added motivation to go all out against Pakistan," Prasad wrote in his column for TOI.
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has not been in form of late picking merely five wickets in the four matches he has played in the Asia Cup 2018. He even went wicketless in the Group stage match against Afghanistan, splurging runs at an economy of 8.38 runs per over.
"Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza has to shake off the rust. The seasoned pacer has lost pace and looks a pale shadow of his younger self. Injuries have slowed him down and he's definitely lost the bite in his bowling. The dangerous off-cutters and yorkers which the batsmen once dreaded are missing from his armour. Mortaza will have to reinvent himself quickly to stay relevant," Prasad concluded.
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