Bangla can be proud of their show
It was a matter of sonear-yet-so-far for Bangladesh. To lose the Asia cup by only two runs is bound to haunt the Bangla boys and that they were not able to admit such a close defeat was evident from the tears on most of the player’s eyes.
It was indeed a gallant fight and Bangladeshis had every reason to feel having missed out on the big moment because in the earlier games against India and Sri Lanka they did get over bigger totals and difficult asking rates. In the final Bangladesh fell short because of lack of experience of playing big finals and also due to inexperience of handling huge pressure of expectation in front of the home crowd. But what they have achieved and the way they played against the big guns of Asia should benefit them in the future. After the final it should be a case of drawing positives from what has been achieved. One has to congratulate the Bangladesh team for putting up such a great show in the entire tournament, where they not only beat India and Sri Lanka convincingly but gave Pakistan a real run for their money.
Bangladesh did well in restricting Pakistan to a moderate total and a target of 236 on that Mirpur wicket shouldn’t have been a difficult task, though it seemed a bit sluggish compared to the other matches. But the Bangladesh batters became extra-cautious at times and that resulted in the run scoring getting bogged.
Be it a final or league match one needs to play normally, no extravagance neither extra cautiousness. That doesn’t let the pressure get on to you. Shakib was the man for Bangladesh. Not only he bowled brilliantly but as long he was at the crease it looked Bangladesh has every chance of romping home. His wicket was the turning point for Bangladesh because if he would have been around for some more time he could have kept the scoreboard ticking and also guided the young Nasim’s towards the desired target.
I sincerely wish Bangladesh will take home all the positives from this tournament.
India must be feeling the pinch after Pakistan lifted the trophy because in the group encounter Dhoni and his boys won very handsomely against Pakistan, even after the opponent had put 330 as target on the board. It has happened the second time.
Even in Australia, in a must win situation, India chased 320 in the required 40 overs. In the both the cases the hero was Virat Kohli, who seems to be the next big thing in world cricket. I sincerely request everyone to let him play in peace.
Playing for the country is itself a huge pressure and let us not burden him even more by comparing with big names of the game who have served the country for quite some time. Let him blossom in the coming years so that he can serve Indian cricket for long.
The great Sachin Tendulkar achieved a milestone which I think will be something impossible to break and I wouldn’t like anyone to break it.
(360 Corporate Relations)