The Asia Cup will finish how it started on Sunday as India take on Bangladesh for the title. This is a big night for Bangladesh as they have the chance to win a tournament on home soil and really confirm their emergence as a major nation after a period where they were in a slump.
It is no less important for India I would suggest. T20 has taken over their nation and any time they take part in the format there is a pressure to win. They can also land a psychological blow to the rest of the world heading into next week’s World T20 with a win in this final.
India have largely breezed through the tournament so far. Like most sides they have been carried by their bowling attack but the reason they have been so dominant is their batting has fared the best in the tough conditions the pitches have yielded. One more decent batting performance gives them every chance here.
Bangladesh recovered from a bit of a mauling by India in the opener to the tournament to record three straight wins and three different wins. They held their nerve against Pakistan to make it here having dominated Sri Lanka and the UAE. They’ve got better by the game and if that trend continues they are players in this final.
MS Dhoni had the luxury of resting some star players in the previous match against the UAE but the likes of Ashish Nehra, Ravi Ashwin and Ravi Jadeja are all likely to return for this match as India go back to full strength.
Bangladesh will remain without Mustafiqur Rahman for this final as a side strain ended his tournament half way through but they will have Shakib available despite his reprimand for smashing the stumps when he got out against Pakistan during the week.
India’s win in the opening match of the tournament maintained their 100% record over Bangladesh in this format of the game and they go into this final as overwhelming favourites to win the title. I think Bangladesh will put up a decent fight in this match but when all is said and done I do think India will get over the line.
We must remember that this is a final so there’s no need to chase a total down with any speed or defend a handicap or anything like that. It is just about winning the game so from a match outcome point of view I have no bet for this final but there are two I like in the side markets which I’ll take.
Mahmudullah is a big player for Bangladesh and his performance line has got my attention especially with it looking so low at 22pts. In both the matches he has played against India on this ground he has comfortably covered that total.
He needed wickets and catches to cover it when these two met for the first time in this tournament but since then his impact with the bat has grown. In his last three matches he has made 36*, 23* and 22* so he’s going well with the bat. He’s likely to bowl and he’s a great fielder so that performance target looks well within reach.
I’ve been impressed with Al-Amin Hossain throughout this tournament too. He has taken 3/37 vs India, 1/8 against UAE, 3/34 vs Sri Lanka and 3/25 against Pakistan and they are fantastic figures no matter which nation you represent.
Hossain has three more wickets than any other bowler in the main part of the tournament and five more than any other Bangladeshi bowler so the 10/3 on him being the top bowler for the hosts in this final looks too big to miss out on.
WON – Back Mahmudullah’s Performance Pts – 22&Over for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
Back it here:
WON – Back A-A.Hossain Top Bangladesh Bowler for a 2/10 stake at 4.33 with Boylesports
Back him here:
