Asia Cup | Team should be proud of making final despite missing top two performers, asserts Mashrafe Mortaza

09/28/2018

Mashrafe Mortaza believes that his team should feel proud to have made it to the Asia Cup final after beating Pakistan in their last Super Four encounter without two key players. Bangladesh lost their opener Tamim Iqbal and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan to injuries as the tournament progressed.

Bangladesh will play India in the final of this year’s edition of the Asia Cup today. However, Bangladesh skipper, Mashrafe Mortaza, insisted that his side deserved praise despite the outcome of today’s game for fighting adversity of losing two major players Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan. After missing the virtual semi final clash, Shakib Al Hasan has been ruled out of the final as well after he aggravated his pre-existing finger injury.

“Let me be honest, the moment Tamim entered the field against Sri Lanka as the last man to help Mushfiqur score those runs, my Asia Cup was won, This journey in this tournament was a difficult one as we started losing players from the very first game (Tamim Iqbal). There was also concern whether Mushfiqur Rahim could play or not but then he played despite not being gully fit. We can learn from him. This year we are in final without our top two performers, and boys should feel proud about it,” Mortaza said in a pre-match press conference.

SRH player Shakib flew back to Bangladesh to undergo rehab on his finger injury, while Tamim was ruled out of the tournament after he suffered a fracture in the opening game against Sri Lanka.

“Every match we encountered anxious moments and from Afghanistan Super Four game, it was a virtual final for us. Hopefully, top order clicks in the final and if they don’t, then the middle and lower order needs to perform. No point thinking about technique and stuff at this juncture when we are playing final.

“I think it’s a great lesson for the boys and young players will learn that it’s all about fight till the last ball. It was a difficult (road) to final without performer like Shakib and Tamim not being available,” Mortaza said.

India has been in stunning form thus far and is yet to face defeat in the ongoing tournament. While Mortaza conceded that India is the better team of the two, he was adamant that his squad will give their 100% for a win.

“I think India is a far better team, they are number one in the world, the came here as the favourites, but then you never know, anything can happen. So, we will have to be mentally strong and fight till the last ball. It’s important to keep our emotion in check.

“It is very difficult to set them a target. Considering India’s batting strength, at least 260-270 could be a fighting total, I am not saying that’s a winning score. And if we bowl first then we would look to try and restrict them. Batting or bowling, a good start is crucial,” Mortaza added.

Asia Cup | Team should be proud of making final despite missing top two performers, asserts Mashrafe Mortaza

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