Press Trust of India
Mirpur, March 5: Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza conceded Saturday that India are the clear favourites to lift the Asia Cup T20 cricket trophy and only the familiarity with home conditions could tilt the balance in his side’s favour in the final Sunday.
“We all know that Indians are clear favourites in the final. Let there be no debates or discussions on that,” Mashrafe said at a packed match-eve press conference here Saturday.
“We still don’t have a T20 star, who can single-handedly win us a match. Crowd, pitch, conditions, everything will favour us but those can never ensure that we will win the final,” he added.
Mortaza however, termed the final as a ‘big occasion’ for the Bangladesh side as they rarely make it to the final of an international event. “What Ravi Shastri has said is absolutely right. It is another match for them as they are used to the hype and big matches. They can take it like 10 other games. India have played big finals, won trophies. What is easy for them may not be that easy for us. But we are trying to focus on the game as it is a big occasion for us,” said Bangladesh’s ‘Captain Cool’.
The Bangladesh skipper asserted that his side has improved since they lost by two runs to Pakistan in the 50-over Asia Cup final in 2012. “We learnt a lot from that game, but that close loss doesn’t guarantee that we will win this time around. After all in T20, form on the day matters most,” informed Mortaza.
“Missing Mustafizur (Rahman) is certainly disappointing. He is our best bowler. Hopefully others will rise up to the challenge,” Mortaza added.