India vs Bangladesh | India are a very good side but we have momentum, says Shakib Al Hasan

03/18/2018

Shakib Al Hasan has admitted that the final clash against India will be not an easy one for Bangladesh but added that they have momentum on their side after beating Sri Lanka in the last match. Mahmudullah praised the Bangladesh skipper and said his comeback in the team boosted the morale.

The final of the T20I tri-series will be played between India and Bangladesh after the host failed to make it to the final, losing the virtual semi-final against Bangladesh in the last over. It was a hard-fought win for the Bangla Tigers and they managed to pull out a win by two wickets.

Before today’s game, India and Bangladesh face each other twice and both times, Team India managed to register easy wins by six wickets and 17 runs respectively. But the victory against Sri Lanka in the last match gave Bangladesh the much needed confidence to get ready for the final summit.

"India are a very good side but we have the momentum, so hopefully we can continue the performance," said Shakib as quoted by PTI.

Ahead of the final, Shakib Al Hasan and Nurul Hasan were fined 25 percent of their match fees and handed one demerit point each for violating the ICC code of conduct against Sri Lanka. Shakib was reprimanded for his behavior during the 20th over of Bangladesh’s innings where he was seen calling his batsmen back after Mustafizur Rahman was given run out and the on-field umpires denied calling it an illegal delivery for height despite the delivery being the second bouncer of the over. Nurul Hasan also faced the fine for his finger-wagging act at Thisara Perera before things settled down and play started again in the same over.

“You can't expect more than that in a T20 game. There was everything. Emotions, drama, everything. We are lucky to be on the winning side, Shakib added.

"Kusal Perera and Thisara Perera batted very well, got themselves into a winning position. I had only one hit before I came into the game, so I knew I wasn't 100%. It was important to rotate the strike and give it to Mahmudullah. This is one of our best innings in the last five overs."

For Bangladesh, it was Mahmudullah who believed in continuing his game despite the tussle and played a match-winning innings. He scored 43 runs in just 18 balls which includes three boundaries and two maximums and his performance helped him in winning the Player of the Match Award. The 32-year-old claimed that Shakib’s presence helped him in playing his one of his best innings.

"When Shakib came into the team, that was a big boost. My plan was to strike the ball as hard as I can. To see the ball properly and try to hit accordingly. I was quite nervous (in the last few overs)," the all-rounder said.

"When I and Shakib were there, I was at ease but Shakib's wicket put pressure on me. Other guys came up to me and believed that we'll do it."