Bangladesh is set to face India in the much anticipated Asia Cup final in Dubai on Friday.
The match will begin at 5:30pm Bangladesh time and will be telecast live by BTV, Gazi TV and Maachranga.
Since 2009, the champion’s trophy has eluded the tigers on five occasions with the recent one being the heartbreaking Nidahas Trophy final in Sri Lanka.
Therefore, the question asked by millions: will the mission be completed this time? Many are comparing Bangladesh’s task ahead to Mission Impossible, the Tom Cruise starred thriller with missions featuring huge odds against, which also had some scenes shot in Dubai.
Injury riddled tigers are still battle-ready though they will be without their talismans: Shakib and Tamim.
Bangladesh had lost against India in the finals several times and that pain of coming agonizingly close still haunts the nation.
However, today, fans will sit in front of the TV with renewed hopes.
The main worry for the tigers is securing a top-order batting line, which had shown clear signs of fragility in recent times.
Reportedly, India is not taking Bangladesh lightly at all. Fans feel that to face the Indians, Bangladesh will need to possess mental strength and the belief that they can achieve the impossible.
There’s talk of change in the final line up; Left-hand spinner Nazmul Islam Opu may be given a chance instead of pacer Rubel Hossain.
But Mashrafe said: “there will be surprise in the batting line up.”
In match statistics, India is way ahead with Bangladesh winning 5 times out of 34 encounters.
Indian player, Shikhar Dhawan, said: “Bangladesh is very strong on the home ground and they have players who know how to pursue and snatch a win.”
But Bangladesh’s motivation also comes from their captain, Mashrafe, who can elicit extraordinary performance from his team mates, appreciated the Indian player.
All eyes this evening will be glued to the TV sets where plagued by injury, the tigers will make the final stand.