Abu Dhabi: Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said his injury-struck side will have to improve considerably in all departments to challenge India in the Asia Cup final here, Friday.
“We always know that India are a serious side and the No.1 side in the world. We still need to improve a bit of our batting and bowling,” Mortaza said after the win over Pakistan in the last Super Four match of the meet.
“We will be missing Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal but the boys have showed character and one match to go, and hopefully the boys will play hard,” he added.
We will miss Shakib and Tamim but the boys have showed character. Just one match to go and hopefully the boys will play hard
Mashrafe Mortaza
Shakib flew back to Bangladesh after aggravating a finger injury, while Tamim was ruled out of the Asia Cup after fracturing his hand in the opening match.
Praising his team for the crucial win, Mortaza said: “The bowlers did a good job, especially when we didn’t get the runs. I think we changed our combination a bit. Usually I open the bowling, but today (Wednesday) we started with Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Mushi (Mushfiqur Rahim) and Mohammad Mithun batted really well.”
Mortaza’s blinder of a catch at mid-wicket to dismiss Shoaib Malik off Rubel Hossain’s bowling in the 21st over was one of the turning points of the match.
“I was lucky that I didn’t drop my catch, because Shoaib Malik was in such good form, but all over the fielding was really good,” Mortaza said. “Long time we haven’t seen this quality of fielding in our time, so hopefully the boys can understand the value of good fielding,” he added.
