Today, when Team Tigers meet Team India in Nihadas Trophy Final making Colombo Resident mere spectators bitter memory would obviously flash back in many minds.
Every time I visit MCG and talk even with Neutral Australians everyone agrees Mashrafe Squad did not get the fair deal in the ICC Quarter final clash against India. Rohit was definitely out and Riad was definitely not out. Hope ICC would ensure that no willing mistakes would be there and both teams would get fair deal and cricket wins.
Bangladesh is by far the most experienced side of the tournament India though won three of the four group matches with its depleted but talented team by no means is unbeatable.
Bangladesh has all resources of winning. With the best all rounder in all formats Shakib Al Hasan back in the team and momentum with them Bangladesh has definitely knows in front.
Bangladesh has nothing too loose. India has to defend its reputation of not losing a T20 international match against Bangladesh. The closest that was happening was in T20 world cup.
Two champion Bangladeshi batsmen Mushfiq and Mahmuduallh failed to score just 3 runs in the last over. The two M’s are in prolific form now and have stormed their team for another date with India for a trophy. Nerve wrecks in such contest. Bangladesh is no longer a mino or push over and in this month of Independence war commencing in 1971 Bangladesh have winds in their wings.
Top order batting remains and issue for Bangladesh. Tamim is stroking into his top gear. He got starts but could not kick on for a long innings yet. Liton blasted in one innings but looked pretty ordinary in two other matches. Soumya remains a shadow of his past. He is struggling to put bat to ball. I never consider Sabbir an ideal player for number three. Can Shakib risk himself at number three? He was seen struggling holding his bat. If not can Mushfique be promoted at three if Bangladesh gets a reasonable start.
Bangladesh has to deal with Washington Sundar at the top and Chahal in the middle. Mahmudullah, Shakib and Sabbir can hold the fort in the middle order. I would like to risk Sohan playing today in the late order. He can spark. At least his youthful vigor seen at dug out during the dying moments of last match can be put to test. Bangladesh needs around 190 -200 against a free flowing Indian batting unit with questionable bowling unit. Rohit, Shikhar, Suresh and Dinesh are rolling on. But Indian late middle order remains virtually untested.
If some how Bangladesh can reach their bottom half early never know how they will deal it. Shardul and Sundar are believed to be all rounders. Hope Mustafiz and Rubel find them today in the last power play. Shakib must bowl full quota and if Opu is in the playing XI he must bowl or not be in the side at all.
Again I say Bangladesh must get fair deal as far as the umpiring is concerned. There must be a fair game. Billion would watch from around the world. If Tigers hunt Indian lambs at Premadasa world will hear the roaring Tigers. Snakes would bite the snake charmers.
WE DO NOT WANT TO REVISIT MCG BITTER MEMORIES AGAIN.
BDST: 0834 HRS, MAR 18, 2018
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