Asia Cup Final: India readies to face Bangladesh
India will look to have a better start in the final than they did in the opener. (Source: AP)
Top-ranked India crushed Bangladesh by 45 runs in the opening match of the Asia Cup, but the hosts have since executed a turnaround, winning three matches on the trot to qualify for the final. This fact becomes even more commendable that they beat the juggernauts in Sri Lanka and Pakistan both.
Partners in prime. @msdhoni and @YUVSTRONG12 batting at the nets side by side #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/TXj7L0j471
— BCCI (@BCCI) 5 March 2016
Unstoppable so far with clinical performances, a formidable India will square off against a passionate and sprightly Bangladesh in their quest for continental supremacy in the final of the Asia Cup Twenty20 tournament in Mirpur on Sunday.
READ: Treat final like any other game: Ravi Shastri
Looks who’s honing his batting skills at the nets. It’s Ashish Nehra receiving throwdowns first #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/YC3JEt7Stv
— BCCI (@BCCI) 5 March 2016
India who have won nine of their last 10 Twenty20 internationals will start the final as favourites, but Dhoni said nothing could be taken for granted, especially in the shortest format of international cricket.
Batting coach Sanjay Bangar has his practice schedule sorted for the day before the final of the #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/Z9SQ99mApO
— BCCI (@BCCI) 5 March 2016
Bangladesh’s five-wicket win over Pakistan on Wednesday, watched by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from a packed stadium, has sparked the cricket-mad nation.
Hosts Bangladesh have qualified for the Asia Cup final only once in 2012, when they lost to Pakistan at home by just two runs.
Team director Ravi Shastri addressing the press at Mirpur before the final #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/ulOprcDVSb
— BCCI (@BCCI) 5 March 2016
Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza hopes his side will give their best in the final against India to clinch their maiden Asia Cup trophy where as Mahendra Singh Dhoni said: “Any good team, if they are the home team, they will always know the conditions very well. So to beat a home team is always difficult”
With practice done, Hardik Pandya and the Indian team are set to face Bangladesh tomorrow in Mirpur.
Practice done :) all set #INDvBAN 🇮🇳 @BCCI pic.twitter.com/tlvtIYruZq
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) March 5, 2016
